Gail Burchardt

Gail Burchardt (nee Mertes), age 62, of Jackson, Wis., passed away on June 10, 2025, after recently being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. She passed away 16 days later. 

Gail, the youngest of five children, was born in Sheboygan and moved to Cedarburg with her family in 1974. She graduated from Cedarburg High School in the Class of 1981. 

Gail married Ron in 2001, and they spent their wedding night in a tent surrounded by many families in their tents. Gail and Ron enjoyed road trips visiting waterfalls, finding quad-skating events and traveling to Milwaukee Admiral away games.  

Gail learned the art of
“shuttle tatting” from her grandmother and often shared her tatting projects with many family members and friends. She was known to bring handfuls of tatted works of art to the annual Mertes family picnic. She made gifts of doilies, baby items and even hot air balloon art.  

Gail was an “ultimate super fan” of the Milwaukee Admirals and was often recognized during home games for her attendance streak, which reached 1,222 games over approximately 30 years. She frequently engaged with Facebook friends about the number of home games she attended. 

Gail worked at Bardes Plastics, where she formed friendships with colleagues. Gail’s family extends gratitude to her friends Mike and Wendy Heyer for their support during her 22 years of service and especially during recent weeks. Gail’s friendship with her co-worker Nizam grew quickly into a special relationship.  

Gail is survived by her husband Ron; siblings Michael (Diane), Barbara, Cheryl, and David (Charlotte); nieces and nephews Amanda, Sara, Kyle (Ashley), Brandon, and Austin; great-nephews Sawyer and Greyson; and great-niece Kinsley. 

She is also survived by godmother Susan Kraus, sister-in-law Christy Mertes and extended Kraus family members Noelle Braun and family and Casey Jewel, as well as her Milwaukee Admirals hockey family and many other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Norman (Jiggs) and Donna Mertes and sister-in-law Carole (CJ) Mertes. 

A private burial service for Gail was conducted with assistance from Hartson Funeral Home in Hales Corners. 

A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, June 29, at Circle B Recreation, with an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Attendees are welcome to wear hockey attire. 

Circle B Recreation is at 6261 Hwy. 60, Cedarburg, Wis.