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Toni embodied her favorite saying, “Don’t be afraid,” offering encouragement and wisdom to everyone she met.

Toni Elana-Ann Salazar was born on December 11, 1983, in Des Moines, Iowa, and passed away on August 18, 2026, in Stuart, Iowa. Her journey through life, marked by compassion, faith, and an unwavering love for her family, touched the hearts of all who knew her.

Raised in Iowa, Toni developed deep roots within her community and her church. She attended Presbyterian Church in Indianola, Iowa, where she nurtured not only her own faith but also the faith of others as the founder of the Black Sheep Bible Study. Through this group and her everyday actions, Toni embodied her favorite saying, “Don’t be afraid,” offering encouragement and wisdom to everyone she met. A proud “God-fearing Woman,” she incorporated her spiritual beliefs into every facet of her life and inspired others with her courage and resilience.

Family was at the very center of Toni's world. She will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, LyVandr Salazar, and her cherished children: Malachi Burgess, Tavi Burgess, SyKiah Burgess, Sienna Burgess, and Mariska Burgess. Her mother, Jaunita Ott, continues her legacy of kindness and strength, as do her siblings, brother Charles McClendon and sister Anissa McClendon, along with her community kids, whom she viewed as her own, who knew her as "Mama T", and many extended family members and friends. Toni was preceded in death by her father, Charles McClendon, Sr. 

Toni was known for her immense love of animals, and butterflies held a special place in her heart—delighting her with their beauty and symbolizing transformation and hope. Her boundless generosity and open-hearted spirit were evident in the ways she cared for creatures great and small, and in the steadfast loyalty she showed to her friends and neighbors.

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Her boundless generosity and open-hearted spirit were evident in the ways she cared for creatures great and small.

She will be remembered not only for her numerous acts of kindness and selfless devotion to loved ones, but also for the genuine warmth she extended to her community. Her deep faith, her belief in supporting others, and her commitment to living without fear have left indelible marks on those who were blessed to know her.

A visitation to honor Toni Elana-Ann Salazar will be held on September 5, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Saints Center, 320 N Fremont St, Stuart, IA 50250. Immediately following, a memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the same location, as friends and family come together to celebrate her remarkable life.

Toni's presence will be profoundly missed, her memory cherished, and her love everlasting in the hearts of all who knew her.