Kenneth "Kenny" Burish

Kenneth "Kenny" O. Burish, 73, Marathon, died Friday, January 31, 2014 at Aspirus Hospice House after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born June 12, 1940 in town of Stettin, son of the late Edward and Leora (Jost) Burish. On November 24, 1966 he married LouAnn Hoeppner at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. She survives. He was very proud of the six years he served his country in the National Guard. In his younger years, Kenny worked in a cheese factory with his brothers and later at Kolbe Brothers Lumber Company. He also hauled milk, first in cans and later on a bulk route for Pine Valley. For many years, Kenny and LouAnn raised ginseng as well as beef and dairy animals. He was always hardworking, had a good hearted outlook and tempered whatever he did with a sense of humor. He was a people person that approached life with wit and wisdom and always seemed to be able to get in the last word. Kenny and LouAnn also enjoyed traveling extensively and later years enjoyed day trips on the bus to local destinations and mystery trips. Kenny maintained a positive attitude through his illness and intended to beat this disease as he had so many other health challenges. His positive attitude served as an inspritation to others which made them excel in their own lives. Survivors include his wife, LouAnn Burish, Marathon; sisters, Janet Skrzypchak, Niles, Illinois and Shirley Reed, Hot Springs, Arkansas; brothers, Reuben Burish, Two Rivers, Elton (Joyce) Burish, Jim (Lillian) Burish, both of Marathon, Ed (Mary Jane) Burish, Norbert (Barbara) Burish, both of Wausau, John (Susie) Burish, Marathon, Thomas (Kathy) Burish, Irma and Michael Burish, Milwaukee; sisters-in-law, Dawn Mae Burish, Marathon and Shirley Burish, Warsaw, Indiana; godchildren, Brian Schuster, Julie Wadzinski and Jessica Mertens, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, Eugene, Tony and Marlin and sisters, Sister Beatrice Burish, Beatrice Wadzinski and infant Margaret. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Noon on Monday, February 3, 2014 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Jesse Burish will preside. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, and again on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Aspirus Hospice House for their kind and compassionate care of Kenny during his stay.