Maybell Burnett

Maybell Burnett, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2025, in Missoula, Montana, at the age of 96.

Born on May 2, 1929, in Lucas, Kansas, Maybell was the youngest of four children born to Clarence and Jennie Casper. She grew up alongside her siblings—Ray, Floyd, and Vera—in the heartland, where strong values and a deep appreciation for life’s simple joys shaped her enduring spirit.

As a young woman, Maybell worked as a waitress, where a charming Navy sailor named Arthur Burnett captured her heart—often leaving a single penny as a playful tip. That lighthearted beginning grew into a lifelong partnership filled with love, laughter, and devotion. Together, they raised two children, Debbie and Tim, first in Palo Alto, California, and later in San Jose.

Maybell spent many years working as an office assistant at United Technology Center, where she held special clearance for top-secret projects.

In the summers, Maybell and Arthur poured their hearts into building their dream home in Plains, Montana, one summer at a time over four years. That labor of love became their retirement haven, a place surrounded by nature and peace.

A gifted gardener, Maybell found joy in her flower beds, especially fuchsia blossoms and the hummingbirds they attracted. She loved sitting quietly with a deck of cards, often lost in a game of solitaire.

She is preceded in death by her husband Arthur, her parents Clarence and Jennie, her siblings Ray, Floyd, and Vera, and her son Tim.

She is survived by her daughter Debbie Berger, daughter-in-law Sue, grandsons, Ricky Wishman, Adam Alford, Greg Alford, Jessie Burnett, Bryan Burnett and her granddaughters, Tiana Burnett and Tashina Burnett.

Her presence will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.