Michael "Mike" Wynne Burlingame

Michael “Mike” W. Burlingame, 79, Kronenwetter, went home to God Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after a brave battle with cancer.

He was born January 11, 1941 in Milwaukee, son of the late Wynne and Mary (Ranzau) Burlingame.  On July 28, 1962, he married Myrtes Thimm in Milwaukee beginning their partnership in life and many business endeavors.  She survives.

Mike took great pride in his family, his home and his wide range of endeavors.  Responsibilities were nothing unusual for him.  As he teenager he really did walk to work over a mile, uphill, in the snow and before the sun came up to Militzer’s Bakery where he was a treasured employee trusted to help in every aspect including critical delivery of wedding cakes.  Sales and business management came naturally with a career with JC Penney in Wauwatosa while moonlighting as a head bartender at Fox and Hounds in Hubertus. He and Myrtes then took on adventures of owning and operating motels in Wisconsin Rapids and Wausau while raising five cherished children. With Myrtes by his side, he also took on ownership and operation of the former Lion’s Den and Restaurant in Wausau along with the Ace Motel.  In his later years, he was a chef with Marriott Corporation and Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  His eye for design, both man-made and natural, included cars and cultivating show-stopping rose bushes.  Always open to new endeavors, even in retirement, Mike’s self-taught craftmanship of intarsia wood sculpting and clock cabinetry would have made his father and father-in-law, both skilled wood workers, very proud.

Survivors include, his loving wife of 58 years, Myrtes; four children, Debra (Gordon) Marten, Athens, Tina Knipfer, Beaver Dam, Nicole (Tim) Stormer, Fall River and Michael A. (Dawn) Burlingame, Eau Claire; nine grandchildren, Branden, Tristan (Becky), Cassie (Ethan), Tyler, Cameron, Holly, Will, Grace and Bryce; two great-grandsons, Thomas and Samuel; one sister, Kathleen (Michael) Busack, Brookfield; nieces, Vicky (Mark) VanUs, Martina (Jack) DeMeio; nephew, Craig Quandt; great-nieces, Madison VanUs, Angel Quandt, Melissa and Michaela DeMeio; and great-nephew, Quintin VanUs

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Valerie Burlingame; two brothers, Wynne Jr. and David; and one sister, Mary Quandt.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on Monday, December 21, 2020 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee.  Rev. Don Meuret will preside.  Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.  Visitation will be on Monday from 11:00 a.m.until time of services at the church.  Social distancing will be observed and face masks will be required to attend in person, with the option of attending the funeral Mass via livestream at Noon on the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home facebook page.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com