John K. "JB" Burt

John Keith Burt, known by everyone as JB, was born in Hastings, Nebraska on June 26, 1957 to Keith Remy and Marjorie Lucille Lovegrove Burt. He passed away following a heart attack on March 14, 2019 at the age of 61. He was the third of Keith and Marjorie’s four children and the only son. During his first couple years the family lived on the Harvard, Nebraska air force base. In 1960 the family moved to the Burt homestead south of Grafton, Nebraska. JB attended school in Geneva, Nebraska graduating from Geneva High School. JB thoroughly embraced his passions. The love of vehicles and engines encompassed his entire life. As a kid he drove around the farm on his go-cart, Cub Cadet and tractors (as soon as he could reach the pedals). No one knew who taught JB to drive. While still in grade school, JB took the engine from his go-cart apart and put it back together; and while in high school, he repaired small engines for neighbors. JB is a graduate of the Colorado Diesel Mechanic School in Denver. While there he took apart and rebuilt a diesel engine…that he kept in the bathtub of his apartment. His love of vehicles and engines graduated from local car races to tractor pulls where he competed nationally, winning several awards, including first place in his division at the National Tractor Pull in Louisville, KY in 1993. For several years he used his expertise to run a used farm equipment parts business from the family farm. Many were familiar with the tractor sitting high a top a large pillar at the intersection of Highway 6 and Grafton Gravel. In his later years his focus turned to boats. He kept a boat on the Lake of the Ozarks for several years. JB lived on the Burt homestead and farmed for many years. He rented the land out when he started a business selling barbeque sauces and rubs. He competed in barbeque contests across the country winning numerous awards. His fleet of trucks, pickups and smokers, all decorated with images of his products and awards, were seen throughout the Midwest where he and his crew smoked meat in front of grocery stores and catered events and festivals. As Marjorie and Keith’s health began to fail, JB provided a tremendous amount of support to both parents. He lived with Keith for over two years after Marjorie’s death. In recent years JB’s focus was in the Lake of the Ozarks where he spent a large portion of his time and invested in lakeside resorts. JB married Gloria Milena Villegas Gil on April 28, 2018. JB loved Christmas. Gloria, and her daughter Kammie (Kamila) were able to spend three years celebrating Christmas together with JB at his house in Geneva, where Santa always made a visit. JB was a proud member of the Liberty Lodge Masons, Sesostris Shrine Little Cars and the Royal Order of Jesters. JB was an organ donor benefiting multiple people as his last act. JB was preceded in death by his parents Keith and Marjorie Burt and his nephew Zak Epke. JB is survived by his wife Gloria; step-daughter Kamila; sisters and bother-in-laws, Linda and John Rebrovic, Beverly and Clark Epke and Janet and Kim Eggers; his niece and her husband Effie (Epke) and Michael Nestrud and nephew Bryan Eggers. A Memorial Service for JB was held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Geneva. Pastor Natalie Faust was the officiant for the service. Gloria Milena Villegas Gil sang “Purple Rain” and “My Heart Will Go On” for the service. The recorded selection “Adagio For Strings” was played as the recessional song. Honorary pallbearers for the service included John Rebrovic Clark Epke, Kim Eggers, Michael Nestrud, Bryan Eggers, Ralph Graham, Justin Grant, Rod Norrie, Brad Lauber and Troy Otte. A private family committal of ashes was held in the Geneva Public Cemetery prior to the Memorial Service. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, please make donations in JB’s memory to the following organizations: Geneva Chapter of FFA Fillmore County Hospital Foundation 1900 F Street Geneva, NE 68361 Geneva United Methodist Church 942 H St Geneva, NE 68361 Geneva Public Cemetery 167 South 10th Street Geneva, NE 68361

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John K. "JB" Burt

June 26, 1957 - March 14, 2019