Joanne Wright Burnett

Joanne Wright Burnett, age 87, passed away on January 26, 2017, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Joanne was born March 13, 1929 to Barbara Hopkins and Sterling Wright, at home on the farm, in Corinne, Utah. She was the fifth of five children.

Joanne graduated from Box Elder High School where she was involved in many activities. Joanne married her sweetheart, Nolan “Red” Burnett, on July 14, 1947 in the Logan LDS Temple and they had four children: Jenean, Susan, Jody, and Brian.

While raising her children, Joanne obtained a Bachelors Degree in Education from Utah State University in 1965 and began teaching in the Logan City School District. While working, she continued her education and obtained a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Utah State University in 1974.

Joanne had a great love of books and created libraries at Ellis and Woodruff Elementary schools. She worked as the librarian at Hillcrest, Ellis and Woodruff Elementary Schools, retiring in 1990. Her love of literature was passed to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joanne had a strong belief in public service and was involved in many organizations. In Logan, she served in the American Legion and Lion’s Club auxiliaries and at the Logan Hospital as a pink lady volunteer. While living in St. George, Joanne volunteered at the Art Museum, Dixie College Library, and served in Bloomington Country Club Women’s Association as President. She also volunteered with the Daughter’s of the Utah Pioneers, leading tours around Historic St. George. In Salt Lake City, Joanne served as an officer in DUP, docent in the DUP Museum and the Utah Heritage Foundation and volunteered in the Beacon Heights and Bonneville Elementary Libraries.

Joanne was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many organizations. She was very interested in genealogy and wrote many family histories about her ancestors for her posterity.

Joanne had a great love for USU and remained a life long, loyal, true-blue Aggie, often entertaining students and athletes in her home. She and her husband Red are members of the USU Old Main Society.

Joanne was a wonderful wife, mother, homemaker, friend and influential educator. Joanne was a positive, loving woman who touched all with whom she came in contact.

Joanne is survived by 4 children: Jenean (Lance) Gross, Susan (Curt) Knudsen, Jody (Dione) Burnett, Brian (Leeaine) Burnett; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren.
Services will be Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 12 noon, Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center, Logan. Friends may call Monday, January 30, 2017 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary, and Tuesday, January 31, 2017 10:30-11:30 a.m. Interment, Logan City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Nolan “Red” and Joanne Burnett Scholarship Fund at Utah State University, www.usu.edu/Burnett . Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.net .