Sharon Burbey

BROOKFIELD - Sharon Burbey (nee Dexter) passed away peacefully at home with family on October 11, 2019 at age 63. 

Sharon was born in Milwaukee on New Year’s Day in 1956.  As Sharon was growing up, her family traveled throughout the State and Country, visiting relatives and sightseeing.  She attended Hartland Arrowhead High School for 3 years and graduated from Wauwatosa West High School in 1973.

Sharon retired from Miller Brewing Company in September 2011, spending most of her years as a forklift operator.

Sharon met her future husband Mark in the early 1980’s and the two were married on November 13, 1982 at North Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee.  They raised their two children in Brookfield.  More than anything, Sharon loved her family.  The family became active members at Trinity United Church of Christ in Brookfield.  Sharon sang in the choir and volunteered for many activities over the years.

Sharon was competitive by nature and enjoyed bowling, golfing, and card games – particularly sheepshead and cribbage.  She and Mark purchased a lake house near Steven’s Point, and then later near Wausau, where the family spent many summers enjoying fishing, boating, tubing, and water skiing.  She enjoyed Ho Chunk, Potowatomi, and occasional trips to Vegas.  She was an avid Packer, Badger and Brewer fan.  Sharon continued many of these activities until the weeks before her passing.

Sharon is survived by her husband Mark; children Allen (Travis Zuverink) of Madison and Connie Koch (Matt Koch) of Brookfield; grandchildren Eden Ruehmer, Braden Koch and Hayley Koch; siblings Susan Dexter (Judith Haass) of New Berlin, James Dexter (Carolyn) of Searcy, Arkansas, and Gary Dexter (Elizabeth) of Cambellsport; and many other cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and dear friends.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents Fred and Lucile Dexter and nephew Jonathan Dexter.

In March 2018, Sharon was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.  She had had many types of treatments to combat the illness.  Until her passing, Sharon lived each day loving her family and living her life to the fullest.  Not all days were easy, but she was brave, strong, and determined to carry on her life as long as she could.

Services for Sharon will be held on Saturday, October 19 at Becker Ritter Funeral Home (14075 W North Ave, Brookfield) .  A visitation will take place from 10:00am to 12:00pm, with a Celebration of  Life at 12:00pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Church of Christ at 4435 N. Calhoun Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005.

Sincere thanks to all those who have offered love, support, and meals during the time Sharon was being treated for her illness.  Special thanks to Dr. Thompson and his staff at Froedtert Hospital Cancer Center and all of the staff at Horizon Home Care & Hospice for their compassionate care.

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