Beverly A. Buretta (Nee Berger)

Beverly Ann Buretta, daughter of Clyde Edward Berger and Marie Theresa Sonnen, passed away peacefully at home on January 27th. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alan J. Buretta.  She is survived by many loving family members and friends.

God and His teachings were central to Beverly’s life. She found strength and solace in Jesus Christ, and her actions were led by His teachings. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she volunteered in many ways over the decades, including the grief group she started for others after Al died. Even when her own burdens were significant, she spent hours daily on the phone just listening to others’ challenges. She brought people food and cheer when they needed it, visited friends in the hospital, at home, and in nursing homes. Her own home was open to the kids in her life, and she always had the cabinets stocked with treats. All those who knew her knew her generosity, her kindness, and her willingness to listen. She did not want others to feel or be alone.

Bev was whip-smart. She was long-time City Clerk for the City of Oak Creek and was quick with facts and figures. If you were smart, you didn’t attempt to pull the wool over her eyes. Those who saw the poems she’d write to go with holiday songs knew she was a deft writer and great at wordplay. She was an avid reader, reading multiple books a week all the way up to the moment when she could no longer hold the book. Even then she still read her Bible and love letters from Al.

Bev was curious, and her curiosity about people and places drove her to travel widely. Bryce Canyon was her favorite place, but she traveled with friends to many cities and national parks. While at home, she enjoyed dear friends on game nights and at potlucks. And all of us knew she could be very, very funny.

Bev saw the truth in people. She celebrated our little and big accomplishments: getting an education, getting confirmed, learning something new. She saw our missteps too: the behavior that wasn’t our best, our mistakes or poor judgements. She helped many of us be our better selves.

For so many, she was their best friend, favorite aunt, cousin, surrogate grandmother, surrogate mother, sister.

Count your blessings if you knew Beverly Buretta. She was a smart, practical, loyal, generous force in the world. Our hearts hurt in her absence. We are grateful she is now with God, and with Al, whom she missed dearly.

Bev asked that, instead of sending flowers, those who wish should donate to one or more of the following:

• Grace Lutheran Church
• Wisconsin Humane Society in Milwaukee
• Your favorite charity

Bev also requested her funeral service be live-streamed instead of public. She did not want the pandemic that she took care to protect herself from to hurt anyone coming to celebrate her. She knew the importance of grieving together, so in addition to having a live-streamed service, a memorial will be held in her honor in late spring or early summer. “There will be a live-streamed service you can attend online on Monday, January 31st, from 12 to 12:30pm. You can find this online service on the Grace Lutheran Facebook page (click here on this link)”