Joan M. Burt, 83, was born on July 22, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois, and died on June 29, 2023, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

During her childhood years, her family moved often and lived in numerous places including Kimball, Nebraska; Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming; Peetz, Colorado; Hornell, New York; and Kimball and Sidney, Nebraska.

Early in her life Joan placed her trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for her salvation and walked out that path throughout her life.

Joan graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1957 where she participated in Future Nurses of America and also sang for the First Assembly of God Church and other functions. She then attended Bible college for two years, first at Central Bible College (now Evangel University) in Springfield, Missouri and then at Southern California College (now Vanguard University) in Costa Mesa, California. While studying in Missouri, Joan was a member of the highly acclaimed Revivaltime Choir and performed under the direction of Vocal Conductor Cyril A. McLellan. Joan toured the United States and Canada as well as participating in national weekly radio broadcasts. Each broadcast opened with a rousing, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” sung by the choir. Up until the very end of her life, Joan’s voice never failed her and she took great joy in singing along with Gospel songs and hymns.

Joan married Ben M. Burt on April 28, 1962. They made their home in Bushnell, Nebraska. They had two children, Rebecca and Benjamin, Jr. The primary focus of their marital life was family, providing a comfortable home and making sure that their children pursued higher education.

Joan was an active community participant, volunteering at many community events and serving on the school board. Joan and a friend ran a coffee shop in Bushnell and Joan made the best cinnamon rolls in Kimball County. Joan later worked in Kimball and served as Deputy County Clerk for nearly 20 years.

Joan enjoyed reading, listening to music, planting flowers each summer, baking, sewing, and canning. Joan greatly enjoyed singing throughout her entire life, including in her final days on earth. Joan was a member of the Moon Beams extension club and greatly enjoyed her friendships with many ladies of Bushnell and the surrounding farming communities.

Joan and Ben attended the Pine Bluffs Baptist Church and then later the Evangelical Free Church in Kimball, Nebraska which they helped start. The family enjoyed vacation trips to South Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming. Joan met and befriended almost all of Ben’s family before meeting him, so her affection ran deep on both sides of her family.

After Ben’s death in 1998, Joan moved to Beatrice, Nebraska where she was employed at Southeast Community College until her retirement at age 75. During this time, Joan greatly enjoyed the Beatrice Public Library and was awarded the Friend of the Library award. Upon retirement, she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where she attended and volunteered at Lincoln Berean Church, and also volunteer at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals. Joan was especially fond of her YAH (Young at Heart) Sunday School class friends and a close group of lady friends from church.

In her later years, Joan enjoyed leisure travel, especially to Athena, Oregon to see her sister Susan, niece Mariah, and the rest of the family. Joan enjoyed spending time with her great-nieces and great-nephews, including the times they walked around town, to the city park, and having hot chocolate. Joan enjoyed riding in the old green pickup that Rob built.

In her later years, Joan lived with her son Benjamin and enjoyed their daily visits, coffee, and singing gospel songs. She enjoyed visits from Rebecca and Teresa and sharing meals together. As Joan aged, her love for simple pleasures and most especially for worshiping the Lord only intensified. Joan was always known for being a willing volunteer, for being a good and kind neighbor, and for her generosity. Her Norwegian Christmas cookie boxes were legendary.

Joan is survived by daughter Rebecca and her wife Teresa, and by her son Benjamin. Joan is also survived by her cherished sister Susan Peterson and husband Earl (Monty), niece Mariah Bates and husband Rob, and their children Hannah, Joey, Aiden, and Brooklyn. Joan is survived by her dear cousins David Evensen and partner Robin of Sacramento, California and Barb Lansky of Deerfield, Illinois. Joan is also survived by a brother, Robert Evensen and wife Barb, of Kimball, Nebraska.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Ben Burt, father Stanley Evensen, and mother Grace Evensen.

The family wishes to express their profound gratitude to: the Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Firefighters of Lincoln Fire and R escue; the nurses and physicians of Bryan West Emergency Department; Alesha Scott, DO, orthopedic trauma surgeon; the nurses and aides/techs of Bryan West Fourth Floor Orthopedics; the physicians, PA-Cs, and NPs of Inpatient Physician Associates; Chaplain Mark and the nurses and aides/techs of St. Croix Hospice and Holmes Lake Rehabilitation and Care Center; and a most special word of appreciation to Mom’s family physician Eric M. Johnson, MD for his compassionate medical care.

“Whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. This was a favorite verse of Joan’s, and it adorned the largest wall of her home. She lived by this adage, which the family shares her in loving memory. For anyone wishing to honor Joan, the family requests no cash or other gifts be extended to them. Rather, we would love for you to please bless the three local charities close to Joan’s heart which she regularly supported (click on name to be taken directly to donate link): People’s City Mission;  Matt Talbot Community Kitchen & Outreach Center; Friendship Home.

He The Pearly Gates Will Open / Han Skal Åpne Perleporte

English:

Love divine, so great and wondrous,

Deep and mighty, pure, sublime,

Coming from the heart of Jesus,

Just the same through tests of time!

(Chorus)

He the pearly gates will open,

So that I may enter in;

For He purchased my redemption

And forgave me all my sin.

Norwegian / Norsk

Som en herlig guddom skilde,

mektig dyp og rik og stor,

er den kjærlighet og

nåde som i Jesu hjerte

bor.

(Chorus)

Han skal åpne

perleporten så at jeg får

komme inn,

for med blodet har han frelst

meg og bevaret meg som sin.

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