Tonya Kay Burd, 54, of rural Canistota, SD, passed away on September 14, 2025 surrounded by her family, due to complications from heart surgery.

Visitation will be held 2:00 to 4:00 pm, with a memorial service beginning at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Miller Funeral Home, Westside location, 6200 W. 41st St., Sioux Falls, SD, 57106.

Tonya was born May 16, 1971, to Roger and Donna (Wheeler) Spicer in Sioux Falls, SD. She graduated from Washington High School in 1989. She worked several jobs over her career but ultimately found her passion as a bartender.

Tonya married Mark Burd in 1992 and welcomed her first daughter, Casandra Joy (CJ), and in 1995 their second daughter, Brooke Elaine. Brooke suddenly passed from SIDS in December 1995, and Tonya held her memory with her in everything she did. She loved being a mom and talked about her kids (both biological and chosen) to anyone who would listen.

In 2007, Tonya found her person, Brian Evans. After promising to never bother with marriage again, Tonya proposed to Brian and they wed on July 27, 2012, as a surprise to all their family and friends. The two of them shared 13 glorious years of marriage with each other filled with nothing but easy laughter and tons of fun. With Brian, she not only gained the love of her life, but also a son, Zane, who she loved like her own from the minute they met.

8 years ago, Brian and Tonya moved to Lake Vermillion, SD, where she found her people and true happiness. She constantly spoke about how much her community of friends meant to her and how grateful she was to have found a place that felt like home.

She enjoyed working at Lake Time and seeing all her patrons and friends. She enjoyed spending time with family, having bonfires, going fishing, and going on side-by-side rides. She was also a dedicated Minnesota Vikings fan, and could be heard yelling, cheering, and scolding (lots of scolding) at the TV during game time.

Tonya was a person full of nothing but warmth, laughter, and kindness. She loved her husband, kids, family, friends, and community more than anything else and cared for all of her people with a love that is unmatched. She touched the lives of more people than she could have ever imagined. As her family, we hope you bring that brightness to others in her memory and carry her with you forever.

Beyond grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Brian Evans; daughter, CJ Holm (Allan) Sioux Falls, SD; son, Zane Carter, Canistota, SD; brother, Chad Spicer (Amber) Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces, nephew, and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roger and Donna Spicer; daughter, Brooke Burd; and chosen daughter Shannon Groeneweg.