Winnie Blanche Viar, 85, Lee's Summit, MO, formerly of Harrisonville, MO, died Saturday, December 14, 2013, at Village Hospice House in Lee's Summit. Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 19, 2013, at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville with burial in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Harrisonville. Visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Thursday. In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to support Alzheimer's research: www.alz.org or to Village House Hospice at John Knox Village.

Winnie was born June 18, 1928, in Goldsboro, TX, a daughter of Charles and Nutie (Speaks) Burgen. She lived in Texas, Oklahoma, and Ft. Smith, Arkansas, before moving to Harrisonville 45 years ago. Winnie was united in marriage to Fred W. Viar, April 12, 1968, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. She was a member of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Harrisonville and a charter member of the Harrisonville Knot Hole Gang.

Winnie was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother, Winona Burgen; four sisters, Lola Mae Winters, Alice Moore, Loretta Brown, and Martha Turner; two brothers, Newton Burgen, and Jack Lutman. Winnie is survived by her husband, Fred, of the home; two daughters, Donna Kaiser and husband Chuck, Jordan, MN, and Cheryl Sutton, Albuquerque, NM; two step-sons, Rick Viar and wife Kim, Lee's Summit, MO, and Mick Viar, Kansas City, MO; two step-daughters, Patricia Leard and Lorry Viar, both of Kansas City, MO; two brothers, Derrell Burgen and wife Mildred, Arkansas, and Bruce Burgen and wife Tracy, Georgia; one sister, Nettie Bates and Roy (Doc) Hawthorn, Texas; six grandchildren, Tara, Tina, Rohman, Courtney, Stacey, and Joshua; three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Tanner, and Keaton.

Winnie (adoringly called "Pooh" by Fred) was a very devoted wife and mother who spent most of her days on their beloved family farm fishing, gardening, and caring for those around her. She baked a yummy carrot cake, enjoyed fried chicken, and loved animals. She was a very spiritual lady who loved to speak of God's love to those around her.