Cover photo for John F. Lukert, Jr.'s Obituary
John F. Lukert, Jr. Profile Photo

John F. Lukert, Jr.

April 13, 1928 — September 3, 2022

Sabetha

John F. Lukert, Jr.

John Frederick Lukert, Jr., 94, of Sabetha, Kansas died peacefully Saturday, September 3, 2022, with his family by his side at the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha.  

John was born at the St. Anthony Hospital in Sabetha, Kansas to John and Mildred (Vickrey) Lukert on April 13, 1928.  He grew up on a farm East of Sabetha to which he and his wife, Bette, returned when he retired in 1989.  John attended the Sabetha schools from kindergarten through high school, graduating in 1946.  He was an outstanding full back on the football team and was selected for All-State player two years and served as president of his class.  

John attended KU for two years and then served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean Conflict.  While at KU, he met Bette Davis who became his wife in December 1950, and she was the love of his life for the next 72 years.  He returned to the University of Kansas and graduated with a degree in geology which prepared him for a career which he loved.  

John began his career with Cities Service Oil Company with his first assignment in geophysics in Thibodaux, Louisiana with later moves to Jackson, Mississippi, Houston, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma working in exploration and production.  He continued with Occidental Oil when they merged with Cities Service.  In 1982, he became the manager of exploration for the Southern region, US offshore, and Gulf Coast.

John returned to the family farm near Sabetha when he retired in 1989.  John and Bette became active in the First United Methodist Church where they served on numerous church committees. John also served on the Sabetha Community Hospital Board during the planning and construction of the new hospital building, the Brown County Water Board, and the Sabetha Country Club Board.

John loved and lived life to its fullest.  He was always an optimist, a “glass half full” type of guy.  He loved nature, hunting, a good steak, cooking German dishes, their farm home, the KU Jayhawks, a dry martini, and most of all his family.  His generosity, love, humor, and enthusiasm for life will be greatly missed but always remembered.

John is survived by his wife, Bette; his three children Mark (Carolyn) Lukert of Gainesville, Florida, Elizabeth (Scott) Thompson of Durango, Colorado, and Mary (Rick) Adams of Montgomery, Texas; his five grandchildren, Kelli Lukert, Erin (Thomas) Farmer, Katie (Kevin) Thompson, Mollie and Amy Adams; his two great-grandchildren, Madelyn Grace and Luke Farmer; and his sister, Barbara Lukert of Westwood, Kansas.  

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Sabetha.  A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sabetha Community Hospital or the First United Methodist Church and sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.  

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John F. Lukert, Jr., please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, September 8, 2022

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

First United Methodist Church

806 Main Street, Sabetha, KS 66534

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Memorial Service

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

First United Methodist Church

806 Main Street, Sabetha, KS 66534

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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