Burleigh Meurette

Burleigh B. (Burl) Meurette, 85, Wausau, passed away October 6, 2018. He was born on December 26, 1932, in Mosinee, WI, to Mark and Ellen Meurett. He attended Mosinee public school through 8th grade and later completed graphic arts courses at the Wausau Vocational School, now known as NTC.  He also honorably served in the United States Army during the Korean War; stationed in Big Delta, AK, he provided instruction in arctic survival training.  Upon returning home he worked at Evercolor Printing & Advertising, then began his graphic artist career at Wilson-Hurd, and met the woman who would capture his heart, Catherine “Kate” Jacobson. They married on December 17, 1955, sharing over 61 years together, until her passing on September 25, 2017.

Burl was known as a perennial jokester who could talk his way around any subject, and make you believe it, to keep you smiling and make life fun. He coached little league baseball, was active in the Wausau Elementary School Stunt Night, was a great cook and a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church and the American Legion.  In retirement, he continued his artistic work by hand-painting advertising signs and celebration banners under the name “Burl’s Banners”, including a banner for the 1987 Wildlife in Art exhibit at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, the predecessor to Birds in Art. He also worked as a first-class prep cook at the Peking Restaurant and took up golfing. He happily chopped veggies, made rice, & kept the kitchen lighthearted, and logged countless hours on the golf course with family and friends. He helped organize the annual Peking golf outing for many years to raise funds for Pine Valley junior golf, the highlight being a hole-in-one on #9.

Burl is survived by his children, Mark (Laura) Meurette, Sr., Mitchell (Lori) Meurette, Michael “Otto” (Tammy) Meurette, and Marsha (Craig) Meurette-Wieman, all of Wausau; sisters Susie Mueller, Minocqua, & Sally Schaffhausen, Verndale, MN; brothers Laverne “Curley” Meurett, Merrill, & James Meurett, Palm Bay, FL; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Kate, son Matthew, and brother Willy.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 330 McClellan St., Wausau, including committal in the courtyard columbarium at St. John’s, with Mother Ezgi Perkins officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 11:30 am until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be directed to St. John’s Episcopal Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.brainardfuneral.com. The family would like to thank all the caregivers and special friends he made in the last few years for the kindness & support shown to him and our family.