Burton Esbeck

Burton Owen "Burt", son of George J. and Merl (Coffin) Esbeck was born November 22, 1929 in Elk Horn, IA. He was baptized at Elk Horn Lutheran Church and confirmed there on April 2, 1944. After graduating from Elk Horn High School in 1948 Burt worked for his father as a plumber in the family business Esbeck Plumbing & Heating. On June 10, 1951 Burt was united in marriage with L. Jeanene Boyer at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Three children were born to this union. From November 1951 thru November 1953 he and Jeanene lived in Rolla, MO while Burt served as a clerk/typist at Fort Leonard Wood during the Korean conflict. Upon returning from his time in the US Army, Burt and Jeanene moved back to Elk Horn where he resumed work with his father. Burt assumed ownership of the family business in August of 1964. In 1997 he turned over the business to his son Lee and fully retired in 2005. Burt enjoyed serving his community in numerous ways. He served on the EHLC Board, Elk Horn Volunteer Fire Department, Better Elk Horn Club Committee, Danish Mill Corporation, Danish Immigrant Museum and DVEDA. He was also a member of American Legion Post 322. Burt and Jeanene were honored to serve as Tivoli King and Queen in 2002. Burt was part-owner of the Elk Horn Laundromat and an initial partner of the Danish Inn Restaurant in Elk Horn. In his spare time and upon retirement, Burt could be found often on the golf course. He and Jeanene enjoyed traveling to places such as Denmark, Alaska, Florida, Arizona and Texas. He had a great love of laughter, fun and good-natured pranks. His wife Jeanene died in 2009 and Burt continued to live in their home. When his health began to fail, he became a resident of Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn in February 2012. Burt passed away there on April 7, 2012 at the age of 82 years, 4 months and 16 days. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Jeanene; parents; sister Doris (George) Willson and brother Ray Esbeck. Burt is survived by his daughter Sue (Jim) Greene of Round Rock, TX; son, Lee (Jane) Esbeck, Elk Horn; Ann Nitzel of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren Angela Esbeck and Lucas Esbeck of Elk Horn; Alecia Tillman of Hastings, NE; Seth Nitzel of Lincoln, NE; Ann's good friend, Brad Berndt of Lincoln, NE; niece and nephew, Janet Mullahey and Brian Willson and sister-in-law Shirley Esbeck of Elk Horn, as well as many friends. Officiating PASTOR KEITH MENTER Music "THE LORD'S PRAYER" ANN NITZEL "MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS" CONGREGATION JANELL HANSEN, ORGANIST Casket Bearers CHAD BEEMER DUANE CHRISTOFFERSON TROY SMITH MERLYN KNUDSEN LUCAS ESBECK BRAD BERNDT SETH NITZEL Honorary Casket Bearers RAS & DORIS RASMUSSEN DAR & WANDA PETERSEN MERLE & JANICE FUNK CHET & MARGE HOLLAND CALVIN & PHYLLIS HOEGH CLARA PEDERSEN DELORES NELSON MAYNARD NIELSEN LOMA LINDA SNOW BIRDIES Interment with Military Honors ELK HORN LUTHERAN CEMETERY AMERICAN LEGION POST 322