Obituary of Burtnett "Burt" R. Livingston

Burt R. Livingston Newton Memorial services for Burt, will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2009 at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Visitation will be 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 at the Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to a coffee and visitation time in the Pence Tribute Center, following the memorial services on Friday. Burtnett "Burt" Ridenour Livingston, 89, the son of Ralph Bruce and Adda (Culver) Livingston, was born June 24, 1919 on a farm near Monroe, Iowa. He was a graduate of the Newton Senior High School, Class of 1936. He later lived in Ames for three years, and graduated from Iowa State University in Ames, Class of 1949, with a degree n engineering. Burt had served his country during World War II, with the US Army, 18 months in the Pacific Theater as a cryptologist. On December 4, 1943, Burt was united in marriage with Junella J. Morris in Newton. He was employed by the Maytag Company in Newton, as Superintendent of Maintenance and Chief Construction Engineer in 1954, retiring in 1984 as the Maintenance and Construction Manager. Burt was avid about Shaklee products, and was a Shaklee Business Leader for over 30 years. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church, serving in several different capacities such as teaching Sunday school for 20 years. He was a past member of the Maytag Management Club, past president of several boards on the Iowa Security Association and Community Chest Board, Newton High School Alumni Association; chairperson of Citizens Committee for schools, when Berg was being built; and on the board at Newton Savings and Loan for 35 years; was president of the Iowa Engineering Society in 1960; and was a part of the Boy Scouts of America and Big Brothers. Burt had devoted his life to his family, enjoyed the out of doors, golf, was an avid Iowa State fan, and his specialty was telling stories. Burt passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 in the Monarch Wing of Skiff Medical Center in Newton. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Bruce Livingston. Those left to honor Burt's memory include his wife of 65 years, Junella; his daughter Julie Livingston and Dwight Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska; his sons: Jeff (Barbara) Livingston of Des Moines and Jim Livingston of Newton; his two grandchildren: Jeff Livingston and Jamie Livingston; his sister, Marcia (Leo) Harrington of Newton; a sister-in-law Lois Livingston of Wyoming; and his many good neighbors and friends. Memorials in Burt's name are being designated: for Shaklee Cares Disaster Relief; or to the Charity of your choice.