Burton Mcpheeters

Burton Dale McPheeters, 94, of Gothenburg passed away on October 30,2022 at Gothenburg, Nebraska.  He was born January 28, 1928, to Ira and Pearl (Grady) McPheeters, at their home southwest of Gothenburg, where Burton lived, farmed, and ranched nearly all his life.  He attended Lone Star Rural Elementary and graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1945.  After several years of farming, he served in the US Army from 1951-1953.  On August 31, 1952, he married Betty Rosina Kaufman at the First Presbyterian Church of Cozad.  Betty was Burton’s beloved creative partner in all things farm, family, and faith.  He left a legacy of how to honor marriage vows by the way he cared for his wife when her health failed.  Their greatest joy was their five children: Marcy Ann, Kay Lynnette, Britt Ira, Scott Bradford, and Julie Rose.

One had only to listen to Burton pray to hear his deep love for God, his family, and his country.  He was a devoted lifetime member of Banner United Methodist Church where he served faithfully as trustee and on many boards.  He especially enjoyed greeting guests as cashier at Lord’s Acre Day.  He also served on the Camp Comeca Board of Directors and at its Buffalo BBQ for decades.  In the community, he was a Lions Club member, and joined various agricultural organizations.  He and Betty enjoyed US travel each August with their growing children, and later visited North America, Europe, the Holy Land, China, and Australia.  They also had a lifestyle of hospitality, frequently and generously sharing their table and home with many, happily hosting both relatives and foreign learners.

Burton began farming with his dad using 4-horse teams to work two rows, and he lived to see his family use 570 horsepower tractors and work 120-foot swaths.  He loved taking the family to watch the cute baby calves in the spring, and on a drive to enjoy seeing the countryside and beautiful sunsets.

He enjoyed the challenge of trying to do things well and efficiently, which probably made farm life more like a fulfilling hobby for him.

Burton’s kind thoughtfulness and zest for life will be missed.  Even into his 90s, he continued to call on those who might appreciate a visit, to faithfully attend whenever he was invited, especially family gatherings for Sunday dinner, birthdays, or holiday celebrations.

Burton is survived by his 5 children: 18 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, and many special nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Burton and Betty’s children are Marcy (Dr. Charles E) Hill of Maitland, FL; Kay (Vernon) Robbins of Grand Island, NE; Britt (Cindy) McPheeters of Bradenton, FL; Scott (Patricia) McPheeters of Gothenburg; and Julie (Keith) Gamble of Wellesley, MA.

Burton and Betty’s grandchildren and great grandchildren are Sean (Megan) Hill and children Samuel, Jedidiah and Geneva of Burien, WA; Charity (Grey) Leonard and children Ford, Zephyr and Sperry of Winston-Salem, NC; James (Audrey) Hill of Charlotte, NC; Gabriel Robbins of Grand Island, NE; Abigail (Hendrik) Stahmer and children Noah and Elizabeth of Hamburg, Germany; Benjamin Robbins of Pasadena, CA; and Sara Robbins of Omaha, NE; John “Jake” (Elizabeth) McPheeters of Birmingham, AL; Kaitlin (Will) Sparkman of New York City, NY; and Margaret “Maggie” McPheeters of Glendale, CA;  Clark (Bryn) McPheeters and children Dior, Lux and Crew; Leigh (Ryan) Sukraw and sons Owen and Warren; Kerry (Karlie) McPheeters and son Kallen; and Holly (Caleb) Williams and son Oliver; all of Gothenburg, NE; Liam (Abi) Gamble of Asheville, NC; Enya Gamble of Boston, MA; Neev Gamble and Finn Gamble of Wellesley, MA.

Burton was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty, his parents, Margaret Pearl (Grady) and Ira David McPheeters, his sisters (and their husbands) Nola (Kenneth) Wahl gren, and Nina (John) Rummell; and an infant son, Matthew Kirk McPheeters.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, NE; Friday, November 4, 2022, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm with the family present from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be held at Banner United Methodist Church, Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 1:00 pm with Dr. Charles E. Hill and Rev. Bonnie Brock officiating.

Interment will follow in the Peckham Cemetery, Gothenburg, NE.

Memorials may be given to the Banner United Methodist Church.