Robert Joseph Burki

Robert Joseph Burki of Lakewood, Wisconsin was called to his heavenly home on May 14, 2025, while under the care of Moments Hospice and his loving family. He was 82 years old.
He was born in Milwaukee on January 9, 1943, to the late Edmund and Ruth (Casper) Burki, the eldest of two children. He was a 1962 graduate of Pius High School. As a child he admired his father's work as an electrician. Eventually attending school and serving as an apprentice under his father he became an electrician himself. He would later become a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and worked at Burki Electric. Robert also honorably served his country in the Army National Guard for 18 years.
Throughout his childhood, his family would vacation to the family cottage on Wheeler Lake near Lakewood enjoying fishing, boating, and hunting in Wisconsin's Northwoods.
He enjoyed bowling, golf outings, roller skating, shooting trap, photography, snowmobiling, Friday night fish fry's, and watching Packer games with his friends. He was also a Ford truck enthusiast. His family once said, when his pickup was due for an oil change, he somehow just decided to bring a new truck home every couple of years. In his earlier years he loved to waterski with his family, generally driving the boat and only knew one speed full throttle! He enjoyed his morning coffee and a cigarette on Rosie's Deck. He cherished his time spent with his family and close friends Jerry, Tom, Henry, Rosie, Dave, Rich, Bill, Mike and Kathy. Robert was a member of Ducks Unlimited. He was proud to have helped raise his grandson Haruki whom he had a special bond with.
He married the love of his life on August 25, 2007, in Las Vegas, Kathryn Belongie. The couple spent many wonderful years together. Robert was a man of faith and an active member of St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church in Lakewood. He retired in 2001 and moved permanently to Lakewood building a new home on the family lake lot on Wheeler Lake. It was there where he was able to spend his final days, just the way he would have wanted. His hunting adventures were definitely memorable ones such as the time he got lost in the woods while deer hunting. He harvested a deer and couldn't find his way out of the woods once it was dark. He built a fire to stay warm until the sun came up and found his truck only 100 yards away. Robert also cherished his cats, Mikey, Sadie, and Peanut.
Robert is survived by his children, Deborah (Christopher Held) Burki, Janet (Paul) Eder, Edmund (Michelle) Burki, Jonathan Toben, grandchildren, Haruki Toben, Duke Harris, William (Allison) Harris, Zachary Burki (special friend Heaven), Jordan Burki, Forest Burki (special friend Vivian), Austin Eder, Allison Eder, and sister-in-law, Laura Burki and other dear friends and relatives.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Kathryn and brother Richard Burki.
A visitation will be held on June 9, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church in Lakewood. Mass will be presided over by Father Praveen Pamisetti. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Carter following the Funeral Mass where Military Honors will be conducted.