Joseph Allen Burnett

Joseph Allen "Joe" Burnett, 86, of Jefferson City, passed away Monday, October 2, 2017, at Heisinger Bluffs. He was born September 28, 1931, in Mason City, Iowa to John James Burnett and Margaret Seisseger Burnett. Joe graduated from Arizona St. Univ. and volunteered to serve in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, serving four years, from 1951-1955 - primarily as a radar specialist stationed in Japan - before receiving an honorable discharge. He retired as an executive with 3M after 35 years where he excelled in government affairs and sales development. Joe was among the founding employees of the Traffic and Safety Systems division at 3M, which, since its inception has grown to a global unit with 2,000 employees, more than $1B in sales, and is directly accountable for saving hundreds of thousands of lives through innovative traffic control. Joe and his brothers are included in the Mason City, Iowa Veterans Memorial where they are the only five-brother honorees. Joe was a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jane Ann O'Keefe Burnett; son, Thomas Allen Burnett, Jefferson City; daughter, Mary Beth Pickett (Mike) of St. Paul, Minn.; two grandchildren, Aaron Joseph Burnett and Mary Murphy Pickett; one brother, Thomas Edward Burnett Sr. (Beverly) of Eden Prairie, Minn.; and many within his extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by three brothers, John James Jr. (Jack), Patrick, and William. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki celebrating. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Cathedral of St. Joseph parish or Helias Catholic High School. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.