Jerald “Jerry” Burkhart, 87, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died on January 20, 2023 at Gothenburg Health. Jerry was born to Jerome and Agnes Burkhart at his grandmother’s home in rural, southwest Kansas.
Jerry grew up in southwest Kansas on a farm and remembered a little about the dirty '30s and how hard they were on his family. As a kid, he helped his family in the butcher shop and took great pride in that. In high school, he drew up a house plan in his shop and mechanical drawing class, and his teacher later used those drawings to design and build a house in Lyons, Kansas. Jerry raised his 4 children with his first wife, Ruth Burkhart, in Dodge City, KS and enjoyed his 30 years as a Coors Beer distributor. He never took a sick day in all those years. After his divorce, Jerry was introduced to his second wife, Pat through mutual friends. They hit it off and the rest was history! They enjoyed spending time with friends and family, cruises, cooking together, time on the beach and spoiling their dog, Snow. Jerry loved blessing his friends and neighbors with his homemade chocolate cake. Jerry was an amazing wood craftsman and was published in the national magazine, Wood. He has beautiful cutting boards all over America! He also loved to play horseshoes and even competed with some other men from Port Orange, FL in a state competition where they earned 3rd place! Jerry loved people and used his beer route, skills and even time in the hospital to connect with others. He was quick to make friends over a Diet Coke and a good story.
Jerry is survived by his daughter, Theresa Demoret, of Gothenburg, Nebraska; step-children, James Flagg and wife, Lisa of Salem, Illinois, Jeffrey Flagg, Sr. and wife, Lyn Kane of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Michael Waters and wife, Rae of Cape Coral, Florida; grandchildren, Rebecca Gronewold and husband, Brian of Gothenburg, Nebraska, Amanda Ristine and husband, Kyam of Gothenburg, Nebraska, Aaron Demoret and Jourdan Matthies of Gothenburg, Nebraska, Kyle Demoret and wife, Maria of Centennial, Wyoming, Alyssa Hamilton and husband, Carson of Kearney, Nebraska, Jaimie Walton and husband, Marc of Edmonds, Washington, Jared Burkhart of Everett, Washington, Kaitlin Burkhart of Seattle, Washington, Kelly Burkhart of Everett, Washington, Garrett Flagg and wife, Malissa of Newborn, Tennessee, Ashleigh Armstrong and husband, Heath of Medina, Tennessee, Allison Olden of Glen Carbon, Illinois, Beth Ann Bishop and husband, Mark of St. Louis, Missouri, Jeffery Flagg, Jr. of McHenry, Illinois, Matthew Flagg of Belvedere, Illinois, Nicholas Flagg of Belvedere, Illinois; and twenty-four great-grandchildren that he adored.
In addition to his parents, Jerry is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pat; his siblings, Norbert “Son” Burkhart, Delores “Sis” Burkhart and Billy Dean Burkhart; his children, Deborah Morrell, Diane Burkhart, and Joseph Burkhart; son-in-law, Clinton Demoret; step-son, Martin Flagg; granddaughter, Jennifer Demoret and step-great grandson Jeffrey Flagg III.
Rosary service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 28, 2023 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Hanston. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. with Father Benjamin Green presiding. Burial will be in the St Anthony Catholic Church Cemetery, Hanston.
Memorials may be given to Table In The Wilderness or St. Anthony Catholic Church in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663, Jetmore, KS 67854.