Sophia A. Burdick

Sophia A. Burdick, 87, 502 North Center Avenue, Merrill, died Wednesday, October 30, 2002 under the care of Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Sophia was born January 1, 1915 in Wausau, daughter of the late Frank and Anna (Springer) Cyganek. She married Norbert Burdick at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau on May 13, 1944. He preceded her in death November 25, 1995. Sophia lived for over fifty years in the town of Kronenwetter where she helped operate the family farm with her husband Norbert until his death in 1995. She was a homemaker her entire life, taking special pride in her baking, cooking, and gardening. She was likewise especially proud of her child, Jacquelyn (Larry) Homa. One of her great joys was dancing with Norbert, and after his passing, teaching her great-grandnephew, 4-year old Nickolaus, the polka. The last seven years of her life were spent with her older sister, Regina Sudut at her niece Judy (Mike) Martin's home in Merrill, where she kept the squirrels fat, sassy, and almost tame on a steady diet of peanuts. Survivors include one daughter Jacquelyn (Larry) Homa, McHenry, Illinois, one sister, Rose Rollenhagen, Hinkley, Minn.; many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were four brothers, Frank, Edward, Joseph and Theodore and one sister, Regina. The funeral mass will be celebrated 1:30 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2002 at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. The Rev. Allan L. Slowiak will preside. Burial will be Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter. Friends may call on Monday from Noon until the time of services all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of the arrangements. Sophia's family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Pine Crest Nursing Home and to Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their loving care. Also they would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Moore, Sister Delores, Nurses Dottie and Alma, all of the South Wing CNA's, and her roommate, Nancy Proska.