Leslie Jean Burket (née Trimble), 76, of Chesterfield, Missouri, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, surrounded by friends and family.
Leslie was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 22, 1948. During her childhood her family lived in a variety of towns around Utah with Mexican Hat being one of her favorite places. She was a graduate of South High School in Salt Lake City. After attending University of Utah she entered the workforce. She wore many hats throughout her professional career: accountant, salesperson, entrepreneur, and IT professional working for a variety of companies including AT&T, Anheuser-Busch, and Edward Jones. In 1983 she moved to Chesterfield, Missouri, the result of a job transfer, where she would spend the rest of her life.
An animal lover, she developed a deep passion for horses in her youth. She relayed stories about how she and her friends would keep watch over the horses of Native Americans visiting Mexican Hat. It wasn’t long before she was competing in Hunter/Jumper equestrian competitions around Salt Lake City. As a result of a broken leg during a competition she discovered the equestrian sport of Dressage, a sport that she devoted the rest of her life to. She and her beloved horse, Suebob (Susan Roberts), won many local and regional competitions throughout the West and Midwest as well as earning her USDF Bronze medal. Later in her career she focused on training and showing her horse, Paddington, getting him all the way to Grand Prix level. A highlight during this time was being a regional Reserve Champion at the PSG level. She was an active member of the dressage community, serving on the boards of the St. Louis Area Dressage Society (SLADS) and CenterLine Dressage.
Leslie was predeceased by her parents, Earl Leslie Trimble Jr. and Jean Marie Meredith (née Abair), and her brother Steven Earl Trimble. She is survived by her sister, Tracy (Bob); her former husband, Richard Burket; her son, Derek (Mary); her two grandchildren, Charles and Penelope; and longtime companion Brett Fisher.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Circle of Concern Food Pantry, www.circleofconcern.org.
Services: Visitation 1-3p.m., Saturday, June 29, at Kutis Funeral Home’s Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO; followed by a memorial service at 3pm.