MADISON - Marie J. Burbach was born in Watertown, Wis., on February 20, 1948, to Rita C. and Hubert W. Burbach. She died at Brookdale, Middleton, Wis., on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Marie was born and raised on a dairy farm near Watertown, the second oldest of seven children. She attended St. Henry Grade School and graduated from Watertown High School in 1966. While she was in high school, she was active in Future Nurses, Mask and Wig, Pep and Girls Clubs. She was also active in the local 4-H Club, winning many blue ribbons at the County Fair for various projects including sewing and even raising a calf.

After high school Marie attended Viterbo College in La Crosse, Wis., and MATC-Madison, completing credits to transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Stout where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Education with a minor in Business Administration in 1974; and a Master of Science degree in Vocational, Technical and Adult Education in 1979.

Marie taught Marketing classes and was DECA advisor in Antigo, Wis., from 1974-1980; and was the Wisconsin State Consultant for Marketing Education and DECA, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in Madison, Wis., from 1980-2005. She also taught Entrepreneurship courses at MATC-Madison.

She served on the National DECA Board of Directors as: President (1988-89); President-Elect (1987-88); Treasurer (1991-92); and Member (1986–87, 1990-91, 1992-93). She was a member of the Central Region Board of Governors and served on the Marketing Education Resource Center: Board of Trustees (1992-95, 1995-98, 2002-05). She received the National DECA Honorary Life Award in 1997 and the 2025 Wisconsin Marketing Association, Carol J. Mooney Award for Excellence in Marketing and Business Education in Wisconsin, presented in February 2026 at the Wisconsin State DECA conference.

Marie was an avid sewer, quilter, gardener, art and craft collector, read the newspaper, history books, and National Geographic, listened to music, followed politics and was a news junkie. She loved cooking and hosted many holiday gatherings. She liked playing Sheepshead with her family, sewing clothes for herself, her sisters and nieces. She also sewed creative Halloween costumes for her nieces. She treasured her cats and an aging dog that she adopted because no one else would take him. She was known for entertaining people with her stories and jokes. During her time in assisted living, she found purpose in calling bingo, assisting the activity director by helping fellow residents complete activities and projects; and assisting others in card playing strategies during weekly card games. She also quilted seasonal and holiday runners and tabletop coverings for almost every surface.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents, Hubert W. Burbach and Rita C. Burbach; and her oldest brother, Roger J. Burbach. She is survived by her siblings, Joel (Bettina), Ann, Francis (Marianne), Miriam (James) and DelRey; nephew, Matthew; nieces, Alexandra, Rachel and Rebecca; and many cousins. Marie was much loved and will be deeply missed by family, numerous former DECA students and marketing teachers, friends, and treasured colleagues. She cherished the many visits, cards and letters she received from so many.

Marie’s family wishes to thank staff and volunteers at Brookdale Middleton, and staff with Agrace HospiceCare that treated Marie with great dignity and compassion during her last years and days.

A private family service was held at Gunderson Stoughton Funeral and Cremation Care, Stoughton, Wis., on October 28, 2026. A celebration of life will be held at OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2027, with a service at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be to The National Kidney Foundation at https://www.kidney.org OR in support of the Marie J. Burbach Endowed Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin Stout Polytechnic Foundation and Alumni Association, a nonprofit corporation, located at the Louis Smith Tainter House, 320 S. Broadway St., Menomonie, WI 54751, EIN 39-6088094.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

Marie Burbach

February 20, 1948 - October 14, 2026

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