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BORN
1949
DIED
2020
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George Bures Obituary
Wisconsin Rapids - George Bures, age 71, passed away on September 23, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital due to Covid-19 with no pre-existing or underlying conditions.
George was born on July 6th, 1949 in Elgin, IL to the late Claire (Walter) and George Bures, Sr. He grew up in Fox River Grove, Illinois and graduated from Cary-Grove High School in 1967. He attended UW-Stevens Point where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Music Education. George was united in marriage to his wife, Karen, on July 21st, 1973 at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Wisconsin Rapids.
George was a Senior Systems Analyst at Sentry Insurance and First Financial Bank in Stevens Point, Wisconsin before he left the corporate world to pursue a career in teaching. He spent 17 years as a band director in the Tomorrow River School District in Amherst, Wisconsin, and after retirement, continued to work as a substitute teacher for the Nekoosa School District. George also spent countless hours on the football field as a referee, officiating games for teams of all ages, from Rapids Raptors youth football to Division I WIAA Varsity football games.
George's greatest gift was as a teacher, which extended far beyond the classroom and the podium as a band director. He loved to teach his grandsons how to fish and hunt and enjoyed special trips to Canada each summer with Karen and his "boys". He also enjoyed his summers with Karen, entertaining friends and family by the pool, gardening, and attending many of his grandsons' sporting events. In winter, George was usually found on a black diamond slope at Granite Peak ski hill, his favorite winter pass time. He was a nationally certified ski patrol and instructor, and was looking forward to another season at the hill this year.
George also spent time giving back to his community. He was an active member of Elks Lodge 693 in Wisconsin Rapids and served in many leadership roles, including Exalted Ruler in 2013-14 and 2015-16.
George is survived by his wife, Karen; daughters Cara (fiancé Ryan Parker) and Krista (Josh) Hafenbredl; grandsons Keagan and Carter Christy, Ethan and Alex Hafenbredl; brother Mark (Julie) Bures of Cary, IL; niece Maggie Bures of Chicago, IL; nephew Andy Bures of North Aurora, IL; and great-nephews Joey and Will Bures of North Aurora, IL.
Our family would like to thank Dr. Kris Lahren and all of the amazing nurses and caregivers in the Covid ICU Unit at Wausau Aspirus Hospital who took such extraordinary and compassionate care of George since due to restrictions we were not able to be by his side.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be set up at a later date.
Funeral Services for George will be held at the Pisarski Community Funeral Home, 2911 Plover Road, Plover at 2:30PM, on Sunday, September 27, 2020. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 12:00PM until service time Sunday. Due to Covid-19 masks and social distancing will be observed. A Private family Interment will be at a later date. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Bures
Sponsored by Pisarski Community Funeral Home and Cremation Center - Plover.
Larry Schillings
August 11, 2025
Just found this sad news I was a UWSP band member friend with George and remember his radiant smile and upbeat personality RIP
nancy cieszykowski
September 20, 2023
still thinking of your family on the anniversary of George's death
Don and Jean Reeves
September 19, 2022
We miss seeing George in the Greenhouse. He was always so excited to get his plants! He was such a good guy, always upbeat and happy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you today Karen and family
Nancy Cieszykowski
September 18, 2021
Thinking of your family on the anniversary of George's passing.
Ross A Konikoff
August 6, 2021
George and I had a ball playing trumpet together in stage band, and him playing his heart out with our jazz quintet, The RKW. He was a great guy, quick with a laugh, kind, and talented. We'd only recently reconnected on Facebook and it was just like it was in 1969, laughs and sweet memories.
Lynne M Wilford
November 14, 2020
George played his trumpet with such vitality right behind me in band (I was in the flute section). It seems he always had a smile and was so full of life and joy. I haven't seen him since High School. May God comfort all his family.
Gary Portzen
October 1, 2020
Sorry to hear about George's passing. I worked with George at First Financial Bank in the late 80's. George was my manager and taught me to use the original Excel spreadsheet, which translated into my 30 year career in finance. George was by far the best manager I ever had ... very smart and a real joy to work with. My prayers are with your family.
The Weinholds
September 29, 2020
Sorry for your loss Karen, Krista and Cara. He was an awesome musician .
Sara and Riley Thomas
September 28, 2020
Krista and family,
We are so very saddened to hear about the loss of your father. You are all in our thoughts during this very difficult time. We are so very sorry. Sending hugs your way.
The Gahagan Family.
September 28, 2020
Karen and Family,
So sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you all and praying for you all.
nancy cieszykowski
September 27, 2020
i'm so sorry to hear this. Gene, my late husband, was very fond of George. They were both part of the original "Mafia five" at Cary Grove high school, class of 1967. I will be praying for your family at this difficult time.
Scott and Patty Fleischfresser
September 27, 2020
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Kathi Mcevers
September 27, 2020
Our condolences to Karen, krista and Cara and families. Kathi and Tom Mcevers
Dr. Tina Lamb
September 26, 2020
George was a happy person who was fun to be around. He was helpful at the Elks Lodge, and was the Lodge Exalted Ruler twice during his 30 years with the Elks. Today we stretch forth a brother's hand to those who are gone. Gone; and there's not a gleam of them, faces that float into the far away. Gone; and we can only dream of them each as they fade like a star away. Gone; but never forgotten as we remember George at the Eleventh Hour.
James Jinkerson
September 26, 2020
I will miss our conversations both verbally and musical my friend. Prayers to the whole family.
Joan Uhl
September 26, 2020
George was a very kind-hearted man. I didn't know him well. He was my daughters band teacher and a FB friend. He took time with his students and seemed to be very civic minded. He played his horn with the students. May he rest in peace. My heart goes out to his family and I will pray for them. Death is so hard to go through.
September 25, 2020
Karen & Family, we are so sorry to here about the passing of George. During this difficult time we will keep you in our thoughts & prayers.
Jerry & Linda Schladweiler
Don Ehrensperger
September 25, 2020
To know George was to love George. We were both “Freshmen” at Cary-Grove High School in the fall of 1963. I was a first year band director, and George was an actual Freshman. His outstanding musicianship and leadership abilities helped me learn the ropes of beginning teaching that they don’t teach you in schools. There is no question that he taught me more than I ever taught him. George made the world a better place for all of us. My deepest sympathies to the entire Bures family.
Shirley Allen
September 25, 2020
I remember him doing his student teaching in Amherst and flirting with the choir director who turned out to be the woman he married. We would tease him about her.
Liv Aanrud
September 24, 2020
Mr. Bures was my band teacher when, as a 60 lb 5th grader, I began playing a baritone that was half my size. He was so kind and patient—-our marching band circa ‘92 did not know how to march. At. All. Left left left right.....
But he kept us in line somehow! He was always smiling and cracking jokes—I could tell that he really loved his job and loved it the music we played. He was very dear to his students...we will miss him.
My sincere condolences go out to his family who he often talked about. We are all heartbroken to hear this news and wish you peace in this during this hard time.
Keeping him close in my thoughts,
Liv Aanrud
D Kwiatkowski
September 24, 2020
George inspired. He always had a smile for everyone. He showed so many children how to embrace the gift of music . We will be forever grateful and much better for have knowing him . God Bless his family and friends with strength and courage.
Pat and Sue Kosharek
September 24, 2020
Dear Kari and family,
I am so so sad to hear of George’s passing. We enjoyed his stories, his politics and looked forward to his funny Christmas letters. I was just thinking about how long we’ve known you guys...forever! Please reach out if you need us.
Christina O'Donnell
September 24, 2020
There are no words. Honestly. I will miss him in the lounge. He always had such great stories about his grandkids, children and family. He was an icon in Nekoosa. Everyone's favory sub.
Joanne and Mike Christy
September 24, 2020
One special and interesting man
Liv Aanrud
September 24, 2020
Mr. Bures was my band teacher when, as a 60 lb 5th grader, I began playing a baritone that was half my size. He was so kind and patient—-our marching band circa ‘92 did not know how to march. At. All. Left left left right.....
But he kept us in line somehow! He was always smiling and cracking jokes—I could tell that he really loved his job and loved it the music we played. He was very dear to his students...we will miss him.
My sincere condolences go out to his family who he often talked about. We are all heartbroken to hear this news and wish you peace in this during this hard time.
Keeping him close in my thoughts,
Liv Aanrud
Liv Aanrud
September 24, 2020
Mr. Bures was my band teacher when, as a 60 lb 5th grader, I began playing a baritone that was half my size. He was so kind and patient—-our marching band circa ‘92 did not know how to march. At. All. Left left left right.....
But he kept us in line somehow! He was always smiling and cracking jokes—I could tell that he really loved his job and loved it the music we played. He was very dear to his students...we will miss him.
My sincere condolences go out to his family who he often talked about. We are all heartbroken to hear this news and wish you peace in this during this hard time.
Keeping him close in my thoughts,
Liv Aanrud
David Hedquist
September 24, 2020
Mr. Bures was my H.S. band teacher and one of my favorite teachers. He made band a great experience and pep band a blast! I still appreciate him encouraging my love of music, which will always be very important to me. Our percussion section wouldn't have been the same without his fun personality. Thanks Mr. B... You will be missed.
Quinton Baker
September 24, 2020
Mr. Bures was my band director for 4 years, and the love for music, in particular marches and jazz, lives in me to this day. I had a daughter this March and have thought about Mr. Bures often as I played jazz tunes, some of which we listened to or played in his middle school jazz bands. I will always remember him fondly, and have a good laugh whenever watching "The Music Man" in his honor. Rest in peace, Mr. Bures.
Dave and Sue Davies
September 24, 2020
We will remember the many hours we spent together as friends and as a fellow musicians. His smile will always be remembered as a statement of his joy for life - a life well lived. The stories and the love will continue. See you on the other side George.
Mary V Tegel
September 24, 2020
George, we didn't meet but we probably crossed paths at Cary-Grove high school. We crossed paths in facebook and you always had something right-on to say. Thank you.
I offer my condolences to your wife, children, family members, and friends who will surely miss you.
Mary Tegel
Ron and Ida Winker
September 24, 2020
We are so sad to hear about this. George was a most wonderful man and he will be missed by so many. We will be holding his family in our prayers in the coming days. " As Christians, we weep not only because we have lost something, but because we were given so much"
Joan Slovachek
September 24, 2020
George was a great guy. We often spoke of our common interest in drum corps. I taught with him in Amherst and he was well liked by students, parents and faculty.
Christine Kraft
September 24, 2020
I am heartsick that George has departed. We both had a great love of music and participated in high school band together. When I was returning to the world of teaching school music, he was kind enough to write a recommendation securing me the position. Thank you, George, for being a friend since high school. You will be missed at our gatherings.
Don and Jean Reeves
September 24, 2020
Dear Karen and family we are so very saddened by this terrible news. Our thoughts and prayer are with you all.
Jeff Gollmar
September 24, 2020
I write this with a heavy heart. I taught with George for 17 years. What a great man and friend. My condolences and prayers to Karen and family. I will always miss our talks and Georges' stories
Peter schwechel
September 24, 2020
George was an incredible friend with a huge heart who always took time to stop and talk and share a story. I will miss you
Chuck Van Buren
September 24, 2020
I haven't seen George since college, but remember him fondly and am saddened to hear of his passing. I thought the family might like to see the attached photo of our jazz quintet.
Showing 1 - 38 of 38 results
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Sep
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Pisarski Community Funeral Home and Cremation Center - Plover2911 Plover Road P.O. Box 193, Plover, WI 54467
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Pisarski Community Funeral Home and Cremation Center - Plover2911 Plover Road P.O. Box 193, Plover, WI 54467
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