Mary K. Burger

Mary K. Burger passed away peacefully on Monday, March 8th at Woodlands Senior Park at the age of 90. Born on August 14th, 1930 in Fond du Lac—Mary was the daughter of Arthur and Loretta (Schleyer) Burger. She attended St. Mary’s grade school and then completed her freshman and sophomore years at St. Mary Springs Academy before moving to Fond du Lac High School where she graduated with the senior class of 1948.

She went on to serve as a member of the US Air Force from May 1952 through May of 1955, a member of the 31st Air Division stationed at Snelling Air Force Station in St. Paul, Minnesota. She served during the latter period of the Korean War and exited her military role as Airman First Class-Sergeant. After discharge from the USAF, Mary went on to live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and began a long career with FMC Corporation (now Bae Systems).

Mary will be remembered as a spirited, fun-loving and independent woman who enjoyed traveling, boating, fishing, football, baseball and time spent with her close friends and family. She, together with best friend Lorraine “Jobie” Varness—spent their working years in the greater Minneapolis/St-Paul metro area, then went on to enjoy a more serene lifestyle and many active years of lake-life around the community of Pine City, Minnesota. They would later move to nearby Rush City, Minnesota, before Mary relocated back to her birthplace in Fond du Lac, WI. in July of 2018, taking up residence at Woodlands Senior Park until her death.

Her survivors include nieces and nephews Dave “Chip” Burger Jr, Costa Mesa, CA., Andrea Smith (Hoxsie), Palm Desert, CA., Jack (Susie) Burger, Solana Beach, CA., Pat McGrath (Jane), St. Nazianz, WI., Mary Letourneau (Joe), Fond du Lac, Kevin McGrath (Judy), Pinewood Springs, CO., Maureen Klotz (Steve) of Fond du Lac, Brian McGrath (Eric), Denver, CO., Kerry McGrath, (Jen), Fond du Lac, Chuck Reschke (Cheryl), Sheboygan, WI., Mary Platz (Randy), Elkhart Lake, WI., John Reschke (Vicki), Sheboygan. WI., Joe Reschke, West Bend, WI., Jenny Pierce, Sheboygan Falls, Wi. and Pat Reschke (Missy), Sheboygan Falls, WI., and many grand and great grandnieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her life-long friend Jobie Varness (November 2020), her nieces Anne (Baden) Jacobs (2015), and Peggy (McGrath) Lauer (2013), her parents, two sisters, Barbara McGrath Burke and Janet Reschke, and two brothers, David and Jack Burger.

Zacherl Funeral Home of Fond du Lac is handling the arrangements. Private interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery with a celebration of life planned for later in the year. The family wishes to express sincere, heartfelt gratitude to the many caring team members and support staff of Woodlands Senior Park and the Agnesian Healthcare’s Hospice Hope Team. The quality care they provided was genuine, professional and compassionate, all delivered while simultaneously navigating the unique challenges of the pandemic. Thank you also to the Woodland residents who befriended Mary and helped make her days brighter! Memorials in Mary’s name may be directed to Agnesian Healthcare Foundation to help perpetuate their meaningful mission.