Keith A. Burgess

Keith Burgess, 91, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away on Dec. 26, 2025. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI on April 15, 1934, where he spent his early years with his brother and sister. The family later moved to Milwaukee, WI where Keith met Shirley Wilson at church. "You know we started dating when I was 17." Shirley would say while patting Keith's hand. Keith would then respond, "She liked me for my looks."

Keith graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science and from Cardinal Stritch College with a Master of Arts. His passion for education and commitment to community led to 38 years of teaching in the Milwaukee Public Schools. Keith and Shirley married on June 21, 1958, in Milwaukee and raised their two children in Whitefish Bay.

Keith will forever be remembered for his caring and playful heart. He loved to prank neighbors on North Bay Ridge Avenue by planting trees in driveways, gathering the whole street's old Christmas Trees in a single yard, and hosting the best block parties. Keith and Shirley were fundamental in expanding the Milwaukee K-9 training club. Keith was also club president for many years and graduated hundreds of dogs in obedience and agility.

Door County turned into a second home, where Keith brought their vision to life by building a cabin in Ellison Bay - "just for them." In retirement, Keith and Shirley made Door County their permanent home and moved to Sturgeon Bay in April of 2003. He took any opportunity to serve people, their dogs, and his family. He spent hours packing lunches for children and serving Thanksgiving dinner through the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church.

Keith and Shirley spent 67 (and a half!) years together teaching, camping, boating, traveling across the states, and building - as long as they could bring their dogs. Keith crafted Shirley's designs to life using his skills in woodworking, welding, and adding a boatload of humor along the way, until his death on December 26, 2025.

Love you most.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes to consider a donation to the local weekend food for children program "Backpack Buddies" in Keith's memory. For details, visit:

https://sturgeonbayumc.org/march-mission-backpack-buddies/

He was preceded in death by James Burgess (father), Hazel Warner (mother), and Robert Burgess (brother). Survived by his wife Shirley, Patricia Chacon (sister), David Burgess (son), Linda Braun (daughter), grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.