Andrew David Burgoyne

Andrew David Burgoyne, 85, passed away on the evening of September 30, 2023 at Homme Home in Wittenberg. He was born on December 20, 1937, the youngest of four boys born to Harry and Mary Burgoyne (Doerr). He attended Schofield grade school and graduated from DC Everest in 1957. He was awarded the distinction of being the 1st All State football player in DC Everest school history. He also participated in HS wrestling and qualified for the state tournament. He entered the Army after high school and served some of his time in Germany. After returning home from service, he met Gloria Laabs and a year later they married on August 24, 1963 at St. Therese, Catholic Church. They soon welcomed their first daughter, Kelly, in 1964 and two years later, their daughter, Kim.

Soon after marriage, Andy began dabbling in growing flowers and vegetables and opened Birch Gardens Greenhouse in 1964. He continued to expand his interests and business ideas and added the floral department in 1976. Together with Gloria, they owned and operated Birch Gardens Floral and Greenhouse in Schofield until retirement in 2004. Andy and Gloria then moved to Hatley. They opened Burgey's Bloomers, a seasonal greenhouse, from 2005 to 2017.

Andy was a man of many interests and talents. As a kid he liked to raise animals of all kinds including pigs, chickens, and later chinchillas. Andy also spent many years growing ginseng and tending to his garden. Throughout their lives Andy and Gloria enjoyed traveling including trips to Japan, Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Laughlin, NV and many camping/ road trips with family around the country. He loved to dance and taught his girls how to polka. In his younger years he enjoyed couples league bowling, dart ball, hunting for goose and turkey and fishing whenever he could. He was also an avid packer fan and enjoyed watching the games on Sunday.

Andy is survived by his daughters, Kelly (Jim) Dalbec, Kim (Jeff) Plautz, both of Birnamwood. His grandchildren, Cory (Jessica) Laffin, Curtis (Brittany Lowery) Laffin, Tara (Jake) Burt, Jared (Bailee Ploeger) Plautz, Amber (Jeremy) Wheat. Great grandchildren Kaden Laffin, Gunnar Lowery, Alyssa and Jace Burt, Crimson Laffin, Charlotte Ploeger and Baby Plautz due in December. He is survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Warren and Carol Reetz, Wausau, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gloria on November 15, 2020, his brothers and sisters-in-law; Robert (Bertha) Burgoyne, Elroy (Delores) Burgoyne and Lloyd (Phyliss) Burgoyne.

A memorial service will take place on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at Saint Therese Parish, with Father Albert officiating. A visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church.  Burial will follow services at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, where Military Honors will be held.