Dawn Mae Erdman-Burish
Dawn Mae Erdman-Burish of Marathon made her final journey home to be with her Lord on her 93rd birthday, March 6, 2024, at Wausau Aspirus Hospital.
Dawn Mae Clara Braunel was born on March 6, 1931, at home, in the town of Marathon, to the late Edwin and Dorothy (Gresens) Braunel. She was the middle of nine children.
On November 18, 1950, she married Donald Erdman of Town of Stettin at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Marathon. Together they had six children: LaVern of Wausau, Peggy (Henry)Baumann of Marathon, twin sons-Aaron (Margie) of DeWitt, Iowa, and Alan (Lisa) of Pelican Lake, Glen (Lisa) of Wausau and Nelson (Freda) of Germantown. Donald died December 27, 1996, at home.
Her family includes 18 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren (including three sets of twins) and two great-great-grandchildren.
Surviving sibling include one sister, Jane Ross of Edgar, and one sister-in-law, Virginia Erdman, Wausau; special daughters-in-law: Julianne Streveler, Chris Erdman and Tammy Johnkowski, and special grandson, Cory Erdman, who visited and helped her weekly, She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, friends, cousins and neighbors.
Deceased siblings are three sisters: Lucille Schoepke, Doris Traska and Carol Blaubach, and four brothers: Merlyn Braunel, Duane/Sonny Braunel, LeRoy/Buddy Braunel and infant brother George Braunel.
On December 5, 2004, she married Marlen Burish of Edgar at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Marathon. Together with Marlen she welcomed his five children: Cindy, Christine, Brian, Bill and Keith, along with their spouses and children into her family. Marlen died April 11, 2013, at home.
Dawn Mae was a lifelong resident of the Town of Marathon. She and her siblings had a 2-1/2 mile walk to and from Woodlawn Country School 1st thru 8th grades. As a teen she worked babysitting, cooking and cleaning for several area families. She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Marathon. She taught Sunday school when her children attended. Dawn Mae was a present member of Ladies Aid and had been for over 60 years. Very important throughout her life was her faith in the Lord.
In 1964 she started sewing draperies for Jolene’s Drapery in Wausau and was the main seamstress for Scotties Interiors of Wausau, sewing draperies, pillows, etc. until 2004. Dawn Mae was a very talented seamstress and was always patching, hemming or mending for family and friends.
As a Ladies Aid project, Dawn Mae started waiting on tables at Rib River Ballroom in 1965. In 1998 she took the job of calling and arranging to get waiters and waitresses to work at Rib River. In the spring of 2019, she didn’t know if she was slowing down or life was moving too fast - so she gave up the actual waiting on tables. In July of 2022, when Jack Kramer sold the ballroom, she handed her paperwork to the new owners.
She also volunteered at Dime and Dollar Thrift Store since 1989 and at the Health Care Center beauty shop since 1998. In the spring of 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic closed everything, she decided to stay home and retire from her volunteer jobs. Dawn Mae kept in touch with friends and relatives who were homebound, in assistant living or in nursing homes. Instead of visiting and going for lunch, she talked to them by phone. She was also a monthly supporter of St. Judes Childrens Hospital. Dawn Mae lived in the Town of Marathon on Hwy. NN for 85 years, taking pride in her yard and flower garden. She loved summer and enjoyed cutting the lawn and working to keep everything looking nice. In winter she shoveled her then large driveway by hand and, on occasion, used a walk-behind snowblower. She loved bird watching and always made sure the bird feeders were full.
In May of 2016, Dawn Mae sold her home on NN and moved to the Swiderski Apartments in Marathon. There she enjoyed retirement to the fullest. She always kept herself busy. Weather permitting, she could be found walking around the neighborhood. She loved her apartment life and met many nice neighbors. Dawn Mae loved reading. Her favorite author was Danielle Steele. She also enjoyed reading Amish books and doing word searches.
Dawn Mae continued making applesauce and apple cakes, rhubarb jam and rhubarb cakes and baked cookies for her children and grandchildren, neighbors and friends. No one ever went home empty handed. Years back she’d go deliver her baked goods to her children near by. A birthday or family gathering was never complete without “Grandma E’s chocolate chip bars.”
All her years she enjoyed listening to polka music and loved to dance. “The Huntsman’s Waltz” by the Greiner Bros was always her and Donald’s favorite. She loved Christmas, decorating both inside and out. Listening to Christmas music usually started before Thanksgiving. Thru Marlen and his family she learned and enjoyed playing cards.
The family would like to thank Pastor Hadler and Pastor Ben for their visits, comfort and prayers. Also Dr. Rishi for his wonderful care and compassion, and the hospice team, doctors and nurses who were so kind and helped comfort Mom in her last days. Bless you all.
We will miss you Mom, give Dad a hug from us. “Til we meet again.” A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024, at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, Marathon. The Rev. Jon Hadler presided. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was held on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of service, all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer. com.
Memorials may be sent to St. Matthews Lutheran Church of Marathon or Aspirus Hospice and Comfort Care of Wausau.
Paid obituary 149678
