David Keith Strawder

"I've had a pretty good life; better than most. I've been to 34 states. I've only really ever had one job, but I've always done what I wanted to do."

David Keith Strawder, 66, of Ottawa, KS, former longtime resident of Burlington, KS, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born December 27, 1959, in Emporia, KS, the son of Lawrence L. "Bud" and Velma Rae (Christy) Strawder. He attended the Burlington schools and graduated from Burlington High School in 1978. He helped with the family business, S & S Sales, and later Country Critters until it closed. He then went to work with his longtime friend, Wayde Thomsen, at Thomsen & Sons Trucking. Over the years, he drove trucks, worked as a dispatcher, then became a "jack of all trades", including purchasing his own truck and trailer and owning his own trucking company, Strawder Trucking, LLC.

David was a longtime member of the Christian Church of Burlington.

On November 2, 2012, he and Kathleen Ann Stewart were married at Eureka Springs, AR, and David gained three bonus sons, Keven, Brian, and Brett Matney.

He enjoyed collecting die cast semitrucks and trailers. He enjoyed going to auctions and took particular interest in caring for his campsite located near his parents' farm on the Neosho River. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. Later in life, he enjoyed traveling with Kathleen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Carolyn Sue Grames, with whom he was the father of Ethan Strawder and gained two bonus sons, Jason Grames and Matthew Grames; his sister, Shirley Skillman; an infant brother, Dennis Eugene Strawder; and a daughter-in-law, Tammy Matney, wife of Kevin.

He leaves his wife, Kathleen, Ottawa; his children, Sarah Patchen (Jeff) and Rebekah Steele (Bradley), both of Topeka, KS, Ethan Strawder (Ashley), El Dorado, KS; bonus sons, Jason Grames and Matt Grames of Burlington, and Kevin Matney, Garnett, Brian Matney (Charidy), Olathe, KS, and Brett Matney, (Danielle), Gardner, KS; 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; brothers Norman Strawder (Debbie), Ottawa, and Roger Strawder, Burlington; a brother-in-law, Roy Skillman, New Strawn; several nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Burlington Christian Church. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery at Burlington.
The family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Burlington Christian Church and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

"Dave, your work is done."