David Lawrence Burich, age 81, of Colby, passed away on Friday, October 9th, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at the Marshfield Medical Center.

 

David was born on November 15, 1944 in Chippewa Falls. He is the son of Clarence and Helen (Melville) Burich. He graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1962 and graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a degree in business in 1967. On September 4th, 1965, David was united in marriage to Bonnie Weix at St. Mary of Christian Help Parish in Colby, WI. He worked as an accountant for 30 years in the US Forestry Service Department in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and Washington D.C., retiring in 2000.

 

After retirement, Dave and Bonnie moved back to Colby, WI. There they enjoyed canning, family gatherings, and gardening. Throughout the years, his love for road trips also took him across the country. While at home, Dave enjoyed riding his 4-wheeler, relaxing, doing puzzles, and watching sports and old westerns on T.V.

 

David was blessed with a large family. He cherished spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. David was an avid fisherman and hunter and instilled his passion and knowledge to all the family. He was always finding ways to help his family, whether it was by working on projects for others or cheering on his children and grandchildren from the sidelines of sports fields. The importance of family and friends always were his priorities and his joy.

 

David is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bonnie (Weix) Burich; four children: Gary (JaLyn) Burich of Fortine, MT, Pamela (Ian) Sullivan of Eau Claire, WI, Michael (Shim) Burich of Milwaukee, WI, and Donna (Dave) Mertens of Eldorado, WI; 12 grandchildren: Gage, Rachel, Justin, Anna, Sarah, Catherine, Emily, Kayla, Cory, Nolan, Carter and Caleb; and eight great grandchildren. He is further survived by his three sisters and one brother: Joanne Cogswell, Betty Sinette, Tom Burich and Linda (Steve) Henning; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Isabelle.

 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00pm on Friday October 16th, 2026 at the Saint Mary of Christian Help Parish in Colby, Wisconsin. Father Keith Kitzhaber will officiate. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Friends may greet the family at the church, starting at 10:00am until the time of service. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbortsford is entrusted with the arrangements.

 

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com