Myrtes Jean (Thimm) Burlingame

Myrtes Jean Burlingame, age 80, of Athens, Wisconsin, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 27, 2023.  Myrtes passed away peacefully at home.

She was born on September 28, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Ardella M. and Edward H. Thimm.  She graduated from Messmer High School in 1960 where she enjoyed performing plays.  Myrtes was united in marriage to Michael W. Burlingame at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Milwaukee on July 28, 1962.  Michael passed away on December 15, 2020.

Myrtes, along with her husband, Michael, owned and operated the Lazy Acres Motel in Wisconsin Rapids and the Ace Motel in Wausau while raising five wonderful children. In addition to the motels, Myrtes and Michael owned and operated the former Lion's Den Pub and Restaurant in Wausau.  In her later years, she worked for Marriott Corporation at the Westwood Conference Center and Dottenwhy Financial Services in Wausau.  Myrtes loved bowling and was an avid collector of glassware, coins and miniature Just the Right Shoe.

Myrtes is survived by her children, Debra (Gordon) Marten, Athens; Tina Knipfer, Beaver Dam; Nicole (Timothy) Stormer, Fall River; Michael A. (Dawn) Burlingame, Eau Claire; sister, Janet Doheny, Waukesha; brothers, Michael (Lily) Thimm, Stoughton; Andy (Renee`) Thimm, Milwaukee; Joseph (Deborah) Thimm, Cedarburg; Edward (Theodora) Thimm, Lake Tomahawk; brother-in-law, Gary Bradshaw, Hampton, Virginia; sister-in-law, Kathleen (Michael) Busack, Eagle River; grandchildren, Branden Marten, Athens; Tristan (Rebecca) Marten, Kronenwetter; Cassandra (Ethan) Schlicher, Neenah; Tyler Knipfer, Madison; Cameron Knipfer, Madison; Holly Knipfer, Beaver Dam; William Stormer, Fall River; Grace Stormer, Fall River; Bryce Burlingame, Eau Claire; great-grandchildren, Thomas Marten and Samuel Marten; Sawyer Schlicher; 18 nieces and nephews, 17  great-nieces and great-nephews, and very special friends.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael W. Burlingame; daughter, Valerie Burlingame; sister, Elisabeth Bradshaw; brothers, Nicholas Thimm, Louis Thimm, Dennis Thimm; brothers-in-law, Wynne Jr. Burlingame, David Burlingame, Gene Quandt; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Thimm, Mary Quandt; niece, Martina De Meio.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau, Wisconsin.  Rev. Sebastian Kolodziejczyk will preside.  Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, please complete a random act of kindness to honor Myrtes.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.