James R. Burmeister, age 63, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Monday, April 15, 2019 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 26, 2019 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Dr. Carlton Andersen and Rev.Timothy Wenger will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service on Friday, April 26 at the church. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Burmeister family.

Jim was born July 22, 1955 in Wisconsin Rapids to Roger and Gladys (Schroeder) Burmeister.  He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1973.   During high school, he worked for Bob Johnson at the Spur Gas Station.  He later owned the Cattlemen’s Club and Sieber’s, before becoming an over the road truck driver for Sparkhawk Trucking, where he retired from after over 30 years of service.

He married the love of his life, Mary Blair, on April 5, 1997 at the Little Chapel of the Flowers in Las Vegas.

Jim was an avid Packer, Badgers, Bucks and Brewers fan.  He enjoyed engaging in lively political conversations and was never afraid to express his opinion on the subject.  He loved technology.  He and Mary enjoyed going out to eat, watching movies, talking and spending time together.  In earlier years, he enjoyed going camping with his family up north to Hatfield and playing basketball.

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary and their fur babies: Gracie and Doc; his sister, Tamy (Ed) Piecko of Bartlett, IL, their son, Justin Piecko and their daughter, Ashley (Keith) Moody and their son, Colton; brother-in-law, Mike Houston and his children Scott (Bobbie) Houston and Shannon (Adam) Drefcinski; and brother-in-law, Carl Cummings and his son, Mark Cummings.  He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Lynda Houston.