Carole Grace (Trott) Burt

Carole was a loyal and supportive daughter and sister, a nurturing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a loving and devoted wife. She was an unpretentious leader and motivator, a consoler, and a champion of those who most needed support, encouragement, and compassion. She was a wise voice and comforting presence to dozens of friends and family members who sought empathy or advice in their hours of need. She had a keen mind, a quick wit, a visceral sense of justice and a unique gift for making those around her feel welcome and at ease. She tried to see God in everyone she met. Her children Debra, Susan, Tom and Daniel, were the light of her life and the source of her greatest joys.

Carole was the first of two daughters born to Russell C. and Vivian (Cumming) Trott. She attended Sheridan Elementary School, Irving Junior High School, and Lincoln Southeast High School. She was a cheerleader at Southeast, but if girls’ competitive athletics had been allowed then, she would have been a great athlete. In later years she excelled at tennis and running. Carole graduated from the University of Nebraska in June 1989, the same day her daughter Susan received her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Carole’s professional life was rich and varied. She was the Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy; a Marketing Director for Clark Enerson Architects; a loan officer for UMB Bank; and worked twice assisting developer Larry Price, her “second father,” develop the Stuart Building into University Towers Condominiums and building Northgate Gardens Retirement Community. Her favorite job was her last one. She led a team of educational specialists at Elliott Elementary School for six years, administering a federal anti-violence grant. For many years after her retirement Elliott Elementary honored four fifth graders each year with the Carole Burt Spirit of Elliott Award for outstanding leadership, citizenship, and kindness to others.

Carole was a longtime member of First Plymouth Congregational Church (United Church of Christ). She chaired the First Plymouth Outreach Board for several years and served on the First Plymouth Board of Trustees. She served a six-year term on the national U.C.C. Justice and Outreach Ministry Board. She also served on the Boards of the Lincoln YMCA and the Community Health Endowment of Lincoln. She was a member of the first class of Leadership Lincoln and a member of Downtown Lincoln Rotary.

Carole is survived by her husband of 25 years, Don Burt; her sister Christie Tucker Steele and husband Joe; by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Debra (Kubert) and Bill Haller (Tyler and Kimberly Scott, Evelyn and Hunter); Susan (Kubert) Sapp and Jerry Shoecraft (Joshua and Jacquelyn Sapp, Ella and Hughston; Jared Sapp and Bailey McKim; and Jamison Sapp); Tom and Susan Kubert (Ryan and Morgan Kubert, Leighton Anne; Tim Kubert and John Kubert); and Daniel Kubert. She is also survived by her bonus families: Charles and Julie Burt; Steve and Tricia Burt; Dave and Dolly Burt; Tom and Seirra Burt; Jon and Jennifer Burt; and Mark and Miranda Burt and their respective families. The combined families total 10 children, 9 spouses, 32 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be at First Plymouth Church, 20th and D Streets, on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 1:00 pm. Reception in Pilgrim Hall following the service. Private inurnment of ashes in the First Plymouth Columbarium. Livestream available at Roperandsons.com/Livestream.

Memorials to First-Plymouth Church and Community Health Endowment of Lincoln.