Lee A. Burton

1941 - 2025

Lee A. Burton (WINNECONNE/OSHKOSH) - Died July 24, 2025 at University Hospital in Madison, WI after a brief illness. Born October 23, 1941 to James C and Jeanette G (nee Koehn) Burton in Oshkosh, Lee graduated from Greenfield High School in Milwaukee with the class of 1960. After high school Lee served his country in the US Air Force stationed in Grand Forks North Dakota. Having spent summers working on his great uncle's farm as a kid, Lee spent his military leave working for a local farmer whose wife would introduce him to their niece, Victoria (nee Monson). Lee and Vicky were united in marriage at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Hatton, North Dakota on September 7, 1963. When his service was complete and after the birth of their daughter Kelly, Lee and Vicky returned to the Oshkosh area where Lee worked as an electrician with his uncle before committing twenty-six years to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department.

Lee attended the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, was a graduate of the 123rd session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, West Virginia, and served in many leadership roles within the state of Wisconsin including president of the Badger Sheriff's Association, president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates, and sheriff of Winnebago County. Lee also had a love of flying and had earned his commercial rating. Although his hobbies were part time jobs as a charter pilot, his greatest love was law-enforcement where he could commit himself fully in service to his community. His family will attest to his love for the job and his brothers/sisters-in-blue.

In retirement, Lee worked another 25 years operating commercial vehicles and equipment. He was a member of the Winneconne Business Men's Club, the Fox Vettes Corvette Club, and served three terms on the Winneconne Village Board. He was also a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Oshkosh for more than 60 years. An avid reader, Lee also enjoyed movies and television especially crime dramas and westerns.

Left to mourn include his wife Vicky, daughter Kelly, and grandson Joshua, his brother Gary (Judy) Burton, sister Roxanne Janes, brother-in-law John (Shirley) Monson, his USAF mother Joyce Gensrich, Lonneke van Vessem (AFS daughter), and nieces and nephews he adored. Welcoming him into heaven were his parents, parents-in-law, brother Robert, brother-in-law Terry, and an infant son.

Lee lived with humor, integrity and purpose, and believed in living in truth and always doing the right thing. If he loved you, you knew it not just because he never forgot to tell you, but because he showed you with his generosity, kindness, and wise counsel. His advice was often offered in simple expressions not easily forgotten. Among his family's favorites - 'There's a lot of game left' (for life situations yet unresolved or football games with seconds remaining) and 'What goes around, comes around' (printed on his checks). His strength and wisdom will be dearly missed by all who loved him.

10-42, Winnebago 42. End of Watch. Thank you for your service and love. May you rest in eternal peace. We'll take it from here.

The family will honor Lee with a private service and interment to accommodate out-of-town family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lee's memory to two of his favorite charities: the Wisconsin Westie Rescue (https://wisconsinwestierescue.com/) and the Oshkosh Humane Society (https://www.oahs.org/).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.