K E. Barritt

Stuart — K Earl Barritt, 92, of Stuart, died Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at Parkside Manor in Stuart.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at Seger Funeral Home in Stuart with a 7 p.m. rosary.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Stuart. Fr. Bernard Starman will officiate. Music will be provided by organist Deb Kaup and soloist Rick Shearer.

Pallbearers will be Chris Kramer, Amy Gubbels, Jamie Kramer, Jim Bernt, Julie Williams, Jackie Kern, Jessica Markvicka, Jamie Brabec, Jay Barritt, Dylan Kaup, Dawson Kaup, Samantha Dearmont and Cody Barritt.

Honorary pallbearers will be Alissa Gubbels, Cory Gubbels, Hailey Gubbels, Dylan Kramer, Gavin Kramer, Charlie Kramer, Elizabeth Bernt, Adam Bernt, Sean Markvicka, Dominic Markvicka, Zaine Markvicka, Vivienne Markvicka, Sadie Brabec, William Brabec,  Adrian Barritt, Alexis Barritt, Ava Barritt and Stetson Dearmont.

Burial will be in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Stuart with military rites provided by Norton/Carlisle American Legion Post of Stuart.

Memorials may be made to ALS in the Heartland in Omaha or St. Boniface Church in Stuart in K's name.

Kay (K) was born at home on Sept. 2, 1930 to Marvel (Clifton) and Kenneth Barritt in Norfolk. He was the oldest of four. He attended Washington Elementary School and graduated from Norfolk High School in 1948. After high school he stayed with his grandparents Elizabeth (Crellin) and Fredrick Clifton, south of Chambers, and helped them farm and ranch.

He entered the U.S. Marine Corp January 1951 and received his training at Camp Pendleton in California. He was discharged as a Marine Corporal in the 1st Marine Recon Company in February 1954 after spending 13 months in Korea. He received the Korean Service Medal, Sharp Shooter, UN Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and the National Defense Medal. In 2018, he received the Korean Veteran Peace Medal.

On May 21, 1956 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Ericson, he married Elizabeth (Betty) Louise Zwiener.  They were blessed with six children Deb, Donna, Dennis, Dan, Beth and Doug. He worked on ranches, farms, milked cows and delivered fuel while living in Chambers, Burwell, Norfolk and Stuart during their 64 years of marriage.

K was a lifetime member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. He was Legion Commander (three times), Chaplain, Post Service Officer, on the Lounge Committee and Manager of the Club (12 years). In 1996 K and Betty were the Legionnaire Family of the Year.

K was also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and a 4th Degree Knight. He was Secretary, Outdoor Guard, Deputy Grand Knight and Grand Knight. He received Knight of the Year in 2006; Saint Boniface Appreciation Award in 1994; Family of the Year in 2002 and he was Bingo Chairman (17 years).

In 2005, K and Betty were the Grand Marshalls of the July 4th Parade. He was a Boy Scout Master for several years. He was always active in the community including the Stuart Legion, the St. Boniface Church, School and Cemetery, White Horse Museum and Parkside Manor.  

  No matter where he was, he had a twinkle in his eye with a big grin and a laugh. K loved his yard and garden, feeding the birds and squirrels, restoring and refinishing antique furniture and playing cards. For many years you would find K and Betty along with Ray and Mary Krysl either playing cards, going on trips or to the Korean War Reunions. K and Betty moved into Parkside Manor Nursing Home in 2019.

  K is survived by his five children Deb (Neal) Kramer of Stuart, Donna (Scott) Bernt of Butte, Dennis Barritt of Norfolk, Beth (Chad) Kaup of Neligh and Doug (Cathy) Barritt, of Sutton; one daughter-in-law Rose Barritt of O'Neill; 13 grandkids Chris Kramer, Amy Gubbels, Jamie Kramer, Jim Bernt, Julie Williams, Jackie Kern, Jessica Markvicka, Jay Barritt, Jamie Brabec, Dylan Kaup, Dawson Kaup, Samantha Dearmont and Cody Barritt; 18 great-grandkids; one brother Ron (Virginia) Barritt of Norfolk; and one sister-in-law Darlene Barritt of Norfolk. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his parents Kenneth and Marvel Barritt, one son Dan, one daughter-in-law Ann, one sister Marlene Kleensang and one brother Jim Barritt.