Abby Evans Burkard

1950 - 2026

Abby Evans Burkard, 76 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Bavarian Meadows Assisted Living in Remsen, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2026 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Oyens, Iowa. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Maria Abedonia ‘Abby’ Rael was born on March 6, 1950 in New Mexico to Feliciano and Soraida (Barela) Rael. She was raised in Questa, New Mexico and graduated from Questa High School in 1968. After graduation, she began working as a correctional officer for the State of Arizona. She was united in marriage to Bobby Cooper; they had two children, Bobbi and Brandi, and later divorced. Abby then moved to Washington state before moving to Iowa.

Abby was united in marriage to Donald "Donnie" Evans on March 7, 1980 in Merrill, Iowa and they made their home in Oyens. They had three children: Marc, Byron, and Melissa. Don passed away on October 25, 2002.

Abby continued her education and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. She then went on to receive her Masters in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Abby’s work history included working for a short time at LifeSkills in Le Mars, WIT in Sioux City and MHI in Cherokee. She primarily worked as a social worker for the state of Iowa and retired after 30 years.

Abby was united in marriage to Robert Burkard on April 7, 2007. Robert passed away on September 21, 2016.

Abby was a long time member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church where she also was a member of the ladies guild. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan. She loved animals, having many beloved pets over the years, and had a special connection and appreciation for butterflies. She enjoyed traveling to visit family back in New Mexico, Florida and across the states.

Abby is survived by her five children: Bobbi (Dee Jay) Kellen of Le Mars, Brandi (Gino) DellaCava of Ponce Inlet, FL, Marc (Lori) Evans of Ankeny, IA, Byron (Michelle) Evans of Bailey, CO, and Melissa (Richard) Ceballos of West Melbourne, Florida; 10 grandchildren: Brandon Kellen, Brittany (Carter) Lake, Jacob Kellen, Hailey (fiance, Christian Owen) Kellen, Devin DellaCava, Maiah (fiance, Kobe Labit) DellaCava, Brynna DellaCava, Mason (Bailey) Medley, Claire Ceballos, and Michael Ceballos; 3 great-grandchildren: Kingsley Medley, Olivia Lake, and Eleanor Labit; siblings: Issac Rael, Clarita Cordova, Rogeria Romero, and Paul (Carolyn) Rael; sisters in law: Ruby Evans and Bernie Rael; nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Abby is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Evans; husband, Robert Burkard; siblings: Orlando Rael and Maria Berlinda Gomez; and siblings in law: Gertrude Rael, Wilfredo Cordova, LeRoy Romero, and William Evans.