Twila Faye Burkert

Twila Faye Burkert

Feb. 9, 1929 - Dec. 16, 2014

McCOOK, Neb. -- Twila Faye Burkert of McCook, formerly of Hayes Center, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at Community Hospital in McCook.

Twila was born on Feb. 9, 1929, at White, Nebraska, to parents, William "Leslie" and Ethel Dee (Barrett) Mintling. She was raised on a farm east of Hayes Center until the age of eight, when the family moved north of town. She graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1946. After graduation, Twila taught school for five years in Hayes County.

On Aug. 19, 1950, she was united in marriage to Keith George Burkert in Hayes Center. They lived in Vallejo, California. for two years, where Keith was stationed at Travis Air Force Base. While in Vallejo, Twila worked at the Marine base shipyard on Mare Island. They were later transferred to the Air Force Base in Lincoln, Nebraska. Twila then worked for Sears and Roebuck in the credit department.

After Keith's discharge from the service, they moved back to the family farm in Hayes County north of Hayes Center. It was there that they raised their three sons. Twila was a busy mother as well as an integral part of the farming operation. They farmed until 1987, at which time they became motel and mobile home park managers. They lived in Casper and Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1993, they retired back to the family farm until Keith's passing in January of 2006. Twila then moved to McCook.

Twila was a member of Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Hayes Center, where she served in many capacities including Sunday school teacher, deacon and member of the Women's Fellowship.

Twila's early years as a mother consisted of being a den mother, Cub Scout leader, gardening and sewing. She enjoyed baking and cooking, and was known for her delicious pies and cinnamon rolls. She also enjoyed playing bridge, being a color consultant, playing in the Hayes Center kitchen band and belonging to the Red Hatters. She was an avid sports enthusiast for the Hayes Center Cardinals and Nebraska Huskers. Her grandchildren were the spotlight of her life and she enjoyed following all of their activities. Twila's mischievous smile, her enthusiasm, zest for life and love of people will be sorely missed by all those who knew her.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Keith Burkert; two brothers, Merle and Riley Mintling; and three sisters, Eldeen Shores, LaVeta Vollmer and Neva Loomis.

Survivors include her three sons, Korey Burkert and wife, Stacey, of McCook, Greg Burkert of North Platte, and Bart Burkert and wife, Penny, of Tempe, Arizona; two brothers, Richard Mintling and wife, Mary Lou, of Kearney and Dean Mintling and wife, Bettijean, of Boulder, Colorado; nine grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; special friend, Clayton Loomis; and a host of relatives and friends.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, 1-8 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. during the visitation. Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Union Congregational Church in Hayes Center with Rev. Steve Bales and Rev. Jean Miller officiating. Burial will follow at the Hayes Center Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.