Obit: Bursik, Jake Daniel (1936 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bursik, Bye, Greenhill, Haase, Johnson, Kapitz, Ralph, Wierzba

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 1/10/2017

Bursik, Jake Daniel (24 MAR 1936 - 9 JAN 2017)

Jake Daniel Bursik, 80, of Wausau died Jan. 9, 2017 at Wausau Manor. He was born March 24, 1936 in Medford, to the late Jacob Bursik and Sidonia “Cinda” (Kapitz) Bursik.

He received a bachelor’s degree from UW-River Falls and an educational specialist degree from UW-Stout. He served in the United States Army from 1955-1958. He married Thelma Greenhill on August 29, 1959 in Sand Creek. He taught psychology and sociology at NTC for 39 years.

Jake had a passion for gardening and growing plants. He and Thelma owned and operated Bursik’s Greenhouse in Rib Mountain for over 30 years. He loved and enjoyed his grandchildren and was notorious for his Easter egg hunts. He was very proud of his Christian faith and was a very active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wausau where he served in numerous capacities including years in the choir and recorded the church services so they were available on television.

He was a member of the Board of Crossways Camping Ministries as he and Thelma loved attending bible camp with their children and their grandchildren. He graduated from the Lay School of Ministry to further his service to the church. He and Thelma enjoyed traveling, doing numerous Elderhostel travel tours and trips to Norway where Jake was proud to be proclaimed an honorary Norwegian.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma; children, Daniel (Susan) Bursik, Woodbury, Minn.; Paul (Debra) Bursik, De Pere; Robert (Jessica) Bursik, Amery; Maria Wierzba, Weston; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Carly) Bursik, Nicholas Bursik, Michael Bursik, Jacinda Bye, Jared Bursik, Brandon Wierzba, Rachel Bursik, Colin Bursik, and Ian Bursik; in-laws, Gaylon (Hannah) Greenhill, Elsie Greenhill, and Mary Ellen (Ingman) Ralph; niece, Jennifer (John Haase) and nephew, Skip (Sandy) Johnson.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Sherida Johnson, and her husband, Carl O. Johnson; nephew, Bruce Johnson; and brother-in-law, Arnie Greenhill.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m on Friday, Jan. 13, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 630 Adams Street, Wausau. The Rev. Dr. Niveen Sarras will officiate.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12 at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams Street, Wausau, and again from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Friday.

Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wausau, and Crossways Camping Ministries in Appleton.