Joseph G. Burki
April 16, 1926 – April 25, 2024
At age 98 years, Joseph George Burki went home to his lord on April 25, 2024, reuniting with his beloved wife of 55 years, Mary Ann C. (nee Bertrand) who passed away in 2001.
Joseph was preceded by his son James (Judith) and survived by his seven children Joanne (Jeff) Axt, William (Colleen), Karen (Robert) Wenta, Charles (Mary, friend), Jon, Kurt (Kelley), Jennifer (Bernie) Esselman. Joeseph is survived by 21 grandchildren, Deanna (Eric) Mussell, Lisa Burki, Wendy (Lance) Trzebiatowski, Joseph Axt, Julia (Luke) Carrao, Jessica Axt, Jessica (Adam) Altis, Sara (Ben) Jennings, Michael Kontz, Matthew Wenta (deceased), Jacqueline Wenta, Dominic Pintarro, Sara Weinhold, Jordan (Lacey) Reynolds, Joseph (Kendall) Burki, Megan (Chris) Kelty, Samantha (Brandon) Franz, Rebecca Esselman, Casey Esselman, Elli (Ryan) Esselman, and Madeline Esselman. Joseph is survived by 30 great grandchildren, Andrew and Claire Mussell; Thomas, Michael, Robert and Anna Booker; Jocelyn and Evan Trzebiatowski; Sophie and Emma Altis; Carson Buckhouse; Claira, Emry and Milo Jennings; Johnny (Natalia), Vincent (deceased), Elisabeth Weinhold and Elena Cobian; Alton, Rose and Autumn Reynolds; Louie, Ellis and baby #3 (on the way) Kelty; Joseph Burki; Gideon, Silas, Elora and Florence Franz; Burkleigh Rodriguez. Joseph is also survived by 2 great great grandchildren, Hero and baby #2 (on the way) Weinhold.
Joseph was born April 16, 1926, in Milwaukee, WI to Edmund A. Burki and Anna (nee Schilter) who emigrated from Switzerland to the U.S. in 1907. He grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from Mesmer High School. Joseph joined the Army Air Corps February 9, 1944. He was stationed at McClellan Airforce Base in CA as an Auto Equip Opr. He re-enlisted October 18, 1945, and served in the Philippines/Asiatic-Pacific Theater in photo reconnaissance and as an electrician. He was in occupied Japan and mustered out on December 30, 1946.
Joseph became an electrician and worked with his brother Eddie and father Edmund who started Burki Electric Co, which has been in business for over 80 years. He and his brother took over the business after their fathers passing. He worked for many years before retiring in November 2003 and passed the business on to his sons William and Kurt.
Joseph married his childhood sweetheart Mary Ann C. Betrand on January 26, 1946, in Salt Lake City, UT while in the army, thinking he could take her to Europe with him when he shipped out. However, the military had other plans and sent his unit to the Philippines instead, so Mary Ann returned home to await his return. They lived in Milwaukee until 1959 when they built their dream home in Menomonee Falls, where Joe lived until 2021. They raised eight children in their 3-bedroom ranch, five boys and three girls, the first arriving in 1947 and the last in 1968.
Joseph enjoyed many activities like fishing and hunting with friends and bowling and square dancing with Mary Ann. Even though raising eight children kept him busy, he found time for the St. Vincent DePaul Society, volunteering at St. James Church as a board member and acolyte, and as a very active member of The Knights of Columbus for 32 years. Joseph became a 4th Degree Knight on March 27, 2004, and an Honorary Life member in 2020. As a Knight he held many different officer positions but preferred to stay away from the top ones. His true nature was to be a volunteer and there wasn’t any better. He worked the brat fry, pancake breakfasts, tootsie roll drives and Lions Days. He was a true servant to council 10970, which is not a rank or title.
Joseph’s love of the outdoors led him, MaryAnn and their eight children on many camping adventures. They found that camping with this brood was a fun and economical way to vacation. Their many camping adventures also included the Bertrand family. They traveled to many different destinations and handed down a love of camping to their children and grandchildren.
Joseph was a loving and compassionate man dedicated to his family, church, and friends. He will be truly missed but never forgotten, his legacy will live on.
Visitation from 9:30AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM on Monday, May 13, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church, W220 N6588 Town Line Rd, Menomonee Falls, luncheon to follow at church. Burial will take place 2:00 at Sunnyside cemetery with full military honors.
Viola Marie “Vi” Ament
August 20, 1929 – April 6, 2024
Born on August 20, 1929, to the late Joseph and Marie Panzer (nee Brys). Adopted daughter of the late Joseph Linzmaier.Vi found Eternal life on April6, 2024.
Beloved wife of the late Robert William Ament. Loving mother of the late Bobby and Mark Ament. Cherished grandmother of Tiffany (Jesse) Ament-Mack, Jessica (Aseem) Ament, Kyle (Aleah) Ament and Travis (Tony) Ament. Great-grandmother of Meghan Mack and Wesley Swearingen. Dear mother-in-law of Darlene (the late Bobby’s wife) and Cheryl Ament (the late Mark’s wife). Further survived by many special nieces, nephews, other relatives, and especially good friends. Preceded in death by her brother, Lloyd (Jean) Panzer and sister Evelyn (Robert) Weber.
Vi retired from JCPenney’s after 25 years and enjoyed sharing her employee discount with family and friends. She made visits with her grandchildren special by making their favorite foods and playing their favorite games. Her love for dogs was evident. She enjoyed puppy sitting and when neighbors, family and friends would bring their dogs for a visit. She always had a doggie treat in her pantry. She was an avid card player and had a standing card club date with her wonderful friends. Christmas Eve was always made special with her savory hot beef and cheesy potatoes. She will be loved and missed by all that knew her.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home – W250 N6505 Hwy 164 Sussex, WI, from 4:30pm until time of Funeral Service at 6pm.
Vi will be laid to rest next to her late husband, Robert, at Resurrection Cemetery in Mequon in a private family service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Vi’s name to the Washington County Humane Society are greatly appreciated.
The family would like to thank Grace Common’s Blue Grotto Memory Care Facility for their compassionate care and Amedisys Hospice for end-of-life care.
Ruth Truttschel
Mar 28, 1926 – Mar 29, 2024
Ruth Truttschel, age 98, formerly of Sussex and Menomonee Falls, WI, passed away Friday March 29, 2024. Ruth was born March 28, 1926, in Sheboygan Falls to the late Willard and Ludwina (Dick) Sonnenburg. She attended Sheboygan schools and was a graduate of North High School. Ruth was united in marriage to the late William J. Truttschel on June 21, 1948, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.
Ruth graduated from The University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was a member of Sussex Hamilton’s school board and served as school board president. Her campaign slogan was “When you’re in the booth, vote for Ruth!” While living in retirement at The Villages, FL, she was proud of achieving 4 holes in one on the golf course.
Survivors include her children: Robert (Garilyn) Truttschel of Oconomowoc, William Jr. (Darla) Truttschel of Hartland, Michael (Kathryn) Truttschel of Sussex, Thomas (Denise) Truttschel of Colgate, Nancy (Dan) Hoffman of Madiera Beach, FL, Peter (Sharon) Truttschel of Menomonee Falls, Mary Ziemer of Milwaukee, and a brother Donald Sonnenburg of Georgia, 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband William, grandson Timothy, son-in-law Larry Ziemer, brothers Robert (Barbara) Sonnenburg and William (Gladys) Sonnenburg, sisters Mary (Norman) Fletcher and Doris (John) Beach, and a sister-in-law Betty Mae Sonnenburg.
Family and friends may gather at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 818 Huron Ave. Sheboygan on Tuesday April 9, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Sheboygan
Diane Cowan
August 6, 1935 – March 9, 2024
With family by her side, Diane Delores Cowan (née Domack) passed away the evening of March 8, 2024. Born August 6, 1935, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, to Benjamin and Susan (née Jastromski) Domack, Diane was one of the youngest of their five children. She was preceded in death by three older siblings: Eugene Domack, Edith Wurcer, and Ben Domack, Jr., She is survived by her youngest sibling, Cindy Devereaux.
After graduating from Milwaukee’s Pius XI High School, she worked briefly in banking. At a 1954 Catholic Youth Organization dance, she met Robert J. Cowan. They married on January 7, 1956. During their 68-year marriage, Bob jokingly says that, on important decisions, Diane got two votes and he got one. Bob likes to think that meant Diane always won, but we know she deferred to him on many occasions.
Diane’s life changed dramatically with the birth of their first child in October of 1956 and six more in the years following. A special part of her heart was set aside for each of her children: Kimberly (William) Hand, Timothy (Noriko) Cowan, Michael (Jayne) Cowan, Mary (Joe) Beier, John Cowan, Amy (Steve) Braun, and Keith (Jennifer) Cowan.
We’re confident her 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren knew how much she loved them; she was diligent in remembering their birthdays and holidays with hand-made cards. Their phone calls and visits were very important to her.
While Diane’s primary focus had to be her husband and children, she didn’t let those roles completely define her. Her innate artistic and creative talents expressed themselves throughout her long and highly productive, spirit-filled life. We’ll all remember her in our own ways: loving and patient wife, tender-hearted mother and mother-in-law, attentive grand- and great-grandmother, dear sister and sister-in-law, kind friend and neighbor, dedicated volunteer, life-long learner, avid gardener, wonderful cook, loyal employee, St. James parishioner who took great solace in her spiritual journey, part-time Mrs. Claus, enthusiastic traveler, and proud Kashubian Pole.
Diane struggled mightily with many health issues in her later years, but always kept family foremost in her prayers. Throughout her numerous hospital stays and while in hospice care—to the very end—she remained courageous, strong-willed, and calm.
A memorial mass to celebrate Diane’s life will be held on Tuesday, March 19th, at 11:30AM at St. James Catholic Church in Menomonee Falls. Visitation will be held from 10AM until the time of the Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society, Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens, or the Menomonee Falls Historical Society.