Steven Charles Burgess, 72, of Elkhorn, died Jan. 4, 2019, at Mercy Hospital Janesville, surrounded by his loving family.
Steve was the son of the late James and Gladys (Gaul) Burgess. He graduated from Elkhorn High School with the Class of 1964. Steve received multiple letters in FFA, track, wrestling and football and was captain of the football team. There he met the love of his life, Carol Ann Wolf. They were united in marriage on June 17, 1967, at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church Elkhorn, where Steve had been baptized and served as an acolyte.
He was a salesman for Wickes Lumber Company, which became ProBuild Supply, for over 48 years retiring in 2012. He was recognized as a leader in the industry and received numerous awards for his outstanding work. Steve was one of the founding members of the Lakeland Builder’s Association in 1979. He enjoyed building birdhouses and working on a variety of other woodworking projects on the family farm in Dousman.
Steve and Carol enjoyed spending time in the winter at their condo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was family-focused – always putting others before himself. He was a devoted husband, caring father and a loving papa who will be deeply missed by his family and friends and anyone who was blessed to have known him.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol; his son, Christon “Chris” (Gretchen) Burgess of Whitewater; his beloved grandchildren. Mason and Madison Burgess; his brother, Howard (Judy) Burgess of Elkhorn; his sister, Susan (Wayne) Smith of Friendship; six nieces and nephews, Jill Anderson of Elkhorn, Day (John) Fandrich of Monroe, Jason (Hasha) Acerbi of Humble, Texas, Jody (Heidi) Smith of Kenosha, and Ryan Smith of Bristol; six great-nieces and nephews, Katelyn, Nicholas, Haley, Jayden, Macie and Beckett and by a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral service will be at 9:30 a.m., Saturday at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, 13 S. Church St., Elkhorn with the Rev. Andrew Hanyzewski officiating with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be at Summit Cemetery in Summit. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory, 730 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn.
Mason and Madison meant the world to their Papa; therefore as per Steve’s wishes in lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Mason’s and Madison’s college fund. On-line guestbook is at haaselockwoodfhs.com.
