Dena Kay Walberg

Dena Kay Walberg, born on September 11, 1958, in Corpus Christi, Texas, entered into eternal rest on October 4, 2025. Dena was a joyous, loving, empathetic, and imaginative beacon of intelligence and adventure throughout her life.
Dena's early life in Corpus Christi instilled in her a love for the coast and a freedom of spirit. Allured by each sunrise toward an enlightenment that lies just beyond the horizon's edge. Driven to see that each new day brought a new perspective, a unique beauty, and a higher level of understanding.
Dena's passion for her education led her to earn an associate in applied science in 2012. She found 15 years of fulfillment in her career as a Medical Laboratory Technician and was honored as the Highest Performer '24/'25 at Spohn Shoreline hospital after earning her ASCP Certification as well as dozens of new friends.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dena was a lifelong learner, never ceasing to expand her knowledge and understanding of the world. With an average of 12 to 20 books a month for as long as anyone can remember, she kept her quiet moments busy with far away tales and domestic anecdotes. Her friends often found themselves in the embrace of her wisdom and warmth, as she enjoyed hosting gatherings that were both nourishing to the body and the soul. Daily road trips, mid-day movie dates, shopping excursions, lunch and dinner dates as far from home as she could reasonably reach, beach days, mountain hikes, splashing in a spring fed pool, frolicking around with her pugs (Wilson, Raven, Lola, and Freya), historical sites and art spaces, really any event one could describe as festive or communal is where she was to be found. Her love for music and literature was surpassed only by her conviction to explore the world, with every journey enriching her perspective and her storytelling.
She often referenced the phrase, "I'll sleep when I'm dead" ultimately holding true to this as evidenced by a commitment to manufacturing fun in every minute of every day and making time when there was none to be ever present with family and friends. One can't imagine a time when she claimed to be too tired or unavailable. Her admirable devotion to her children both biological and "adopted" manifested in all ways from quiet moments of reflection to unceremonious moving of mountains. No one can miss perhaps the closest, certainly the most regularly acted-upon, and enduring relationship of her life with her "twin", her "sister", her best friend and confidant, her daughter Angela Faith. Their bond is the kind poets can't describe.
Preceded in death by her parents, Woody and Kitty (Woodrow and Katherine) Burt, her brother Murray Burleson, and her dear nephew Jason Ebert, Dena's spirit remained unshakable, and she found joy and comfort in the love of her devoted husband, Leslie Walberg, and her cherished children, Angela Ford, married to Carl, and Matthew Pierce. She adored her grandson, Brandon Ford, who brought unparalleled joy to her later years. The love she shared with her sister, Brenda Scott, her sister-in-law, Elaine Burleson, her niece, Heather Arteaga, and her nephew, Jeremy Ebert, was a testament to a strength truly only developed, not by blood, but by love and fellowship.
Her legacy is one of generosity and empathy, a reminder to all of us to embrace each other and have a spirit to share with and support others without personal reservations. In her memory, let us celebrate the time we were granted with her on this earth and continue to spread the unconditional love and boundless light she so freely gave. Though she has gone on a solo-drive, the essence and memories of Dena Kay will continue to flourish in the hearts of those she touched, a reminder of a life well-lived, well fought for, and well deserved in a soul guaranteed an eternity in the embrace of her Creator.
A visitation will be held from 5-8 PM on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service – YORKTOWN BLVD. A celebration of life service will begin at 10:30 am followed by a reception on Thursday, October 16, 2025, also at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service – YORKTOWN BLVD. A committal service will begin at 1 PM at Seaside Memorial Park.
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