Richard Lee Burt
Richard Lee Burt, 69, of La Farge, WI passed away peacefully on Wednesday Afternoon, April, 25, 2012 at Vernon Memorial Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Richard was born on February 15, 1943, to Durward and Dorothy (Tryggestad) Burt. Richard grew up in the cheese making industry with a father and two uncles running factories in Wisconsin. He lived with his sister Sandra (Hamilton) and brother Gary Burt at first in an apartment above the La Farge Creamery Co. and later at a house, which still stands on Snow Street in La Farge, WI. He was always surrounded by a large extended family of cousins.
Richard attended La Farge Public Schools throughout his entire school career. He played baseball, football and participated in Track and Field during high school. He graduated from La Farge High School on May 25, 1961. He was also known in his youth for his joy of a fast car.
On August 22, 1970, he was united in marriage to his best friend Karen Hemstead, a local girl from the Indian Creek Area. They had 42 wonderful years together living in the village of La Farge, mostly on Snow Street were at one time four generations of the Burt family lived door to door at one time. In later years they moved to higher ground after the flooding of 2008 to a house overlooking Bear Creek.
Richard was initially employed in the family business of cheese making, becoming a licensed cheese maker . After the family business was sold, he went to work for Nuzum Lumber Company. He then worked for several years in the local construction crews, eventually going to work for companies affiliated with the Laborers International Union of North America Local 464. Around 1996, Richard semi-retired and returned to a job he loved with Nuzum Lumber Company.
Richard was an active member of the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin since 1966. He was proud that his grandfather, father and son were all members of this organization. He was with the La Farge Lodge until it was combined with the La Belle Lodge No. 84. He was also a member of the Zor Shriners, Madison, WI and Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Madison.
Survivors include his wife Karen of La Farge,,two children: Jason (Jennie) Burt of Milton, WI Kari (Scott) Johnson of Viola, WI ,Richard and Karen also became proud grandparents for the first time one month ago to Talan Richard Johnson
He is also survived by his sister Sandra (Dale) Hamilton his brother: Gary (Mary) Burt Mother in Law: Bonnie Hemstead,brothers in law: David (Louise) Hemstead, Brent (Brenda) Hemstead many nieces and nephews, cousins, Aunts and Uncles.
Richard will be remembered as a caring father and friend to many, which was always willing to help someone in need or talk for hours about any subject.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 from 5pm to 7pm at the Seland Huston Funeral Home location in La Farge, WI.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 11:00am at the United Methodist Church in La Farge, WI.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Hospice of Vernon County, La Belle Lodge 84 or the La Farge Ambulance Service.
The Seland Huston Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
