Bette E. Lukert

Bette Davis Lukert, 98, of Sabetha, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Apostolic Christian Home, surrounded by her children.

Bette was born on April 23, 1928, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Albert and Ferne (Syster) Davis. She grew up on a dairy farm with her brother, Bob, east of Hiawatha. Kansas, on U.S. Highway 36. She graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1946.

Bette attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, and majored in Occupational Therapy. While at KU, she met John Lukert, Jr., of Sabetha. They were married in 1950, and he was the love of her life for the next 72 years.

After their marriage, Bette and John lived in Alexandria, Virginia, where she worked at the Pentagon. She worked in the transportation department, making travel arrangements for the military. John worked as a geologist for Cities Service Oil Company, so they moved to various places including Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Oklahoma. Together they raised three children, Mark, Beth, and Mary.

Bette was a wonderful wife and mother. She loved sewing, cooking, playing bridge, and gardening, which she referred to as “playing in the dirt!” With each move to a new community across the country, she made the transition easier for her family by creating a secure, loving home, growing beautiful flowers, and becoming involved in the local church and community.

Bette and John retired to Sabetha and built a home on the “Lukert Home Place.” In Sabetha, Bette participated in PEO and the United Methodist Women. She and John loved to travel with friends to Senior Hostels in the U.S. and abroad. But her favorite activity was hosting family get-togethers for July 4th and Christmas celebrations. They also took their family on many trips around the world.

When anyone mentioned Bette’s name, someone would always say, “Bette Lukert is the kindest, sweetest woman I know.”

Bette is survived by her three children, Mark (Carolyn) Lukert of Gainesville, Florida, Elizabeth (Scott) Thompson of Durango, Colorado, and Mary (Rick) Adams of Montgomery, Texas; her five grandchildren, Erin (Thomas) Farmer, Katie (Kevin) Thompson, Kelli (Cameron) Bradley, Mollie (Jordan) Sigler, and Amy (Austin) Hartis; her three great-grandchildren, Madelyn Grace Farmer, Luke Farmer, and Brooks John Bradley; her two sisters-in-law, Barbara Lukert of Westwood, Kansas and Evelyn Davis of Hiawatha, Kansas; her nephew, Greg (Diane) Davis and her niece, Kim (Gary) Neibling both of Hiawatha, Kansas.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha, Kansas. Before the service, a visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the mortuary. Memorial contributions are suggested to Sabetha Community Hospital or the Apostolic Christian Home, sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.