Ellen Georgiana (Hackbarth) Burkart, age 96, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, April 4, 2025. She was born in Milwaukee on February 21, 1929. She was the beloved daughter of George and Martha Hackbarth and grew up in the Riverwest neighborhood during the Great Depression, occasionally selling eggs from her wagon, and playing with her best friend, Anna. Ellen and Anna would remain friends for the next ninety years.
Ellen graduated from Lutheran High School of Milwaukee and attended Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN for elementary education, at a time when it was still unusual for women to attend college. While teaching elementary school in Milwaukee she and a friend were set up on double dates. The date was semi-successful in that it introduced Ellen to her perfect match—her friend’s date, an insurance adjuster named Andrew Burkart.
They married at Gesu Church in Milwaukee in 1954 and moved to Andy’s hometown of Sheboygan where Ellen, an only child, wholeheartedly embraced Andy’s boisterous family of nine brothers and sisters. She remained close to her in-laws for the rest of her life. Ellen raised her family of four children, first in a bungalow on Oakland Avenue, then in a home on South 18th Street. She helped Andy grow the Burkart Insurance Agency, which Andy purchased from his father and which later became Burkart-Heisdorf Insurance.
Her life was full of hobbies, community engagement, and good times shared with her family and many friends. She and Andy were members of the Sheboygan Dance Club, the Sheboygan Evening Optimists, and the Catholic Women’s Charity Club. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a member of the St. Lawrence Guild, a March of Dimes volunteer, and a parishioner at Immaculate Conception parish.
After her children were grown, she and Andy moved to a cottage on Spring Lake in Manitowoc County, where they frequently hosted their seven grandchildren, showering them with affection and outdoor fun. Together Ellen and Andy visited all 50 states, camped at National Parks, and travelled to several other countries, including Germany, Ireland, Poland, Argentina, and Australia.
When Andy died in 2001, she moved back to Sheboygan and continued to travel, including to Spain and Costa Rica, and spent time with her family. She was, until the end of her life, joyful and optimistic, devoted to others without seeking recognition.
She is survived by four children: Andrew Burkart (Lucia) of Paducah, KY, Philip Burkart (Linda) of Green Lake, David (Hayley) Burkart of Sheboygan, and Paula Burkart of Sheboygan. Her seven grandchildren are Kelly (Tyler) Sheveland of Brookfield, Kate (Brady Bellin) Burkart of Pewaukee, Kimberley (Matthew) Bayer of Milwaukee, Natalie (Bradley) Wright of Cincinnati, Jack (Kristin) Burkart of Great Barrington, MA, Luke (Ellen) Burkart of Madison, and Jeryka (Billy) Allison of Sheboygan. There are seven great-grandchildren: Maria, Paul, Stephen, Gregory, Lawrence, Margo, and Grant. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Kramer of Madison, and her lifelong friends Anna Jakubovich and Kathleen Finger.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her mother and father, her stepmother, Dorothy, seven siblings-in-law, and her daughter-in-law, Linda.
Family and friends may gather for fellowship at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1439 S. 12th St., Sheboygan, from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral Mass at 10:30 on Friday, April 11, 2025. Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan County in her name. The family wishes to thank Aurora At-Home Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care for their compassion and for making it possible for Ellen to remain at home.
The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
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