Teresa “Ma” Burnett, age 81, of Tomahawk passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021, at her home surrounded by her family under the care of Compassus Hospice.
On April 9, 1940, in a small A-frame home nestled in the hills of Harrison, Teresa was born of the late Peter and Stella (Janikowski) Schoone. Teresa grew up on a small family farm with her ten siblings. She enjoyed farm life and often talked about chasing cows, bailing hay, and the feel of a warm cowpie between her toes.
Ma was a CNA most of her working life. She worked at several places throughout her career, working at Waukesha Memorial Hospital in Waukesha, Wis., Sacred Heart Hospital and Riverview Nursing Home, both in Tomahawk, and Petersen Health Care (Friendly Village) in Rhinelander, Wis. Ma also worked at the Alamo Plaza Restaurant in Tomahawk, where she was known for her delicious Greek salads. In semi-retirement, Ma cared for her four boys in a group home for mentally-challenged adults in Merrill, Wis.
Ma was a hardworking, no nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is kinda gal with a heart like no other and a tremendous compassion for people. Helping others came naturally for her but not always without a little guff. She even cared for her former husband, Al, at the end of his life. Ma enjoyed gardening, picking berries, canning, and baking. Her homemade donuts and raisin pies were a favorite. Ma’s coffee was a joke in the family as it was said to be used for medicinal purposes if you had a problem in the #2 area. Ma loved to fish and often could be found sitting along Bass Lake. A can of worms and a radio for the Brewer game was all that was needed for a great day or night of fishing. Ma also enjoyed long rides down country roads looking for wildlife and trips to the casino. She loved sports, Badgers, Packers, and, of course, those Brewers. Ma sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” before every game. It was known that you never called her during a baseball game and she would not hesitate to tell you to shut up if you were talking too much while watching a game with her.
Ma is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Derek) Archer, of Gleason, Wis.; her son, Jim Burnett, of Weston, Wis.; her sisters, Mary Croker, of Eagle River, Wis., Corie Sandberg, of Wausau, Wis., and Carol (Bob) Rucinski, of Bevent, Wis.; her brother, Dennis (Gail) Schoone, of Harrison; her godsons and nephews, Mike Sandberg and Russell Springer, of Wausau; her “cookie son” and nephew, Charles Taves; and her beloved rescue and favorite child, her dog, Bo.
Ma was preceded in death by her parents, Red Pete and Stella Schoone; her brothers, Matt, Andy, Jack, and David; and her sisters, Grace Ollhoff and Patsey Springer; along with her former husband, Al Burnett.
A Celebration of Life for Ma will take place at a later day and will be done Brewer Picnic Style.
“Go Brewers Go!”