Burton "Burt" Francis Kaper

Burton F. Kaper

Funeral services for Burton F. Kaper, age 82, were held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 18, 1997, at Bader Funeral Home in Lusk with Pastor Phil Stombaugh officiating. Burial followed in the Lusk Cemetery.

Mr. Kaper died Sunday, September 14, 1997, at the Niobrara County Memorial Hospital in Lusk. He was born October 20, 1914, at Curley, Nebraska, the son of Raymond and Sadie Kaper. Burt was one of a set of twins and the second oldest of eight children. He attended country schools in Nebraska until 1926 when the family moved to a ranch and farm south of Manville where Burt attended school in 1926 and 1927. In 1928 the family moved to a ranch on Young Woman Creek and he attended school at Buena Vista in 1928. He was forced to quit school in 1929 to help support the family. He worked on the Olinger Ranch for three and one-half years and on other ranches.

Burt married Beatrice P. Gormley on November 21, 1933, with whom he lived the rest of his life. They lived on a ranch in Niobrara County until 1934 in the Great Depression. They lost all of their holdings and moved to Manville where he worked at whatever he could find. In 1937 they moved to a ranch south of Keeline and in 1940 they moved to a ranch near Manville. In 1952, they purchased the home place of which they still own. Burt also worked for Charlie Christian at the truck stop for 18 years and worked his ranch until retiring in 1978 due to ill health.

Burt organized and led the Manville Clover Leaf 4-H Club. He was the livestock leader for 18 years and his teams won many honors during that time. He was superintendent of the Livestock Barn at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds for 16 years. Burt was a member of the Missionary Alliance Church in Manville for many years. He loved the outdoors and livestock, and loved to help his many friends. Burt and his son raised Registered Hereford Cattle and were well known for that.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and three brothers.

Survivors include his wife Beatrice; one son, Keith of Laramie, Wyoming; one granddaughter and one daughter-in-law of Laramie and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

For those who wish, memorials to the Niobrara Senior Center will be appreciated by the family.

Bader Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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