Paul William Burgett

Paul William Burgett, 85, of Humboldt, Nebraska was born on December 9, 1933, on the family farm northwest of Humboldt, Nebraska to James “Oscar” and Eulalia Anna (Reuter) Burgett.  Paul attended St. John’s Catholic Church in Table Rock with his mother until she died in 1943.  He attended Pleasant Hill District #52 country school in Pawnee County then Humboldt High School graduating with the class of 1952.  Paul won the Mile Run in 1951 and 1952 at the Nebraska State Track Meet in Lincoln.  At that time, the meet was held at the track at Memorial Stadium.  During High School, Paul worked and lived with John and Ethel “Peg” Klattenberg.  The farm was 4 miles west of Humboldt on Highway 4 where they farmed with mules and raised turkeys.  Paul was drafted into the Army and served his country in active service from May 21, 1954 until being honorably discharged on February 17, 1956.  He was stationed at Wolters Air Force Base in Mineral Wells, Texas where he learned the trade of welding and traveled overseas to Cosa Blanca, Africa during the Korean Conflict.  Paul received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

On September 4, 1955, Paul was united in marriage to Elaine Eis at the United Methodist Church in Humboldt.  To this union two children, Randy Paul and Sandra Elaine, were born. The couple attended Pleasant View United Methodist Church north of Humboldt until it closed and transferred to the Methodist Church in Humboldt.  Paul and Elaine started farming northwest of Du Bois, then moved to a farm northwest of Humboldt in 1959.  They were a diversified farm with chickens, hogs, dairy and an Arabian/Palomino horse named “Trigger”.  Later they changed to a cow/calf operation, but nothing left the farm until it was fattened and ready to go to market, except Trigger who lived to be 40+ and was ridden by the kids, their friends and then grandkids.  Paul started farming with a “B” John Deere tractor then added a “G” John Deere tractor.  As the farm grew, the tractors grew from a 730, 4020, 4320 to a 4840.  They raised milo, wheat, oats, forage sorghum, corn, soybeans, alfalfa and maintained many acres of prairie, brome and other grasses for hay and pasture land.  Paul received a Centennial Grass Seeding Award on November 21, 1966.  He was a member of the Harvey-Mann Legion Post #269, Pawnee VFW Post #5289, Humboldt Oddfellow Lodge #34, Southeast Nebraska Cattle Association and was a Red Cross blood donor of 19 gallons.  Paul enjoyed going to auctions, fishing, hunting mushrooms, playing cards and water skiing.  Paul and Elaine enjoyed dancing which included Polka music at their anniversaries.  They enjoyed taking bus tours to Branson, Missouri and other places of interest.  Paul had season tickets to the Nebraska Husker Football games and enjoyed taking family members and friends to the games.  In later years, his guests took him to the games!

Paul passed away Sunday, July 28, 2019, at High Plains Assisted Living Facility in Lincoln, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of eighty-five years, seven months and nineteen days.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Marie (Hugh) Gibbs, brothers: Leo, John (Esther), Ralph (Mary Ann) Burgett, and a sister-in-law Loretta Burgett.

Paul is survived by his loving wife Elaine of Humboldt, son Randy (Judy) Burgett of Humboldt, daughter Sandra (Jerry) Vrtiska of Table Rock, grandchildren: John (Laura) Vrtiska of Cedar Creek, NE; Julie (Brandon) Stake of Burchard, NE;  Lyndsey Burgett St. Peter, MN; Adam Burgett of Humboldt, Reba Burgett of Humboldt, great-grandchildren: Brooke and Parker Vrtiska of Cedar Creek, NE; Candace, Hazel and Olive Stake of Burchard, NE; a brother James “Junior” Burgett of Kansas City, MO; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 2, 2019, at the United Methodist Church in Humboldt, Nebraska with Pastor Dorothy Smith officiating.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at The Wherry Mortuary in Humboldt, Nebraska.  Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m.

Interment will be at the Humboldt Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Harvey-Mann Legion Post #269 and the Nebraska Army Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the United Methodist Church or the Humboldt Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com.

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary- 207 N. Nemaha St.- Humboldt, Nebraska 68376 (402) 862-2915.

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