Russell Wegge, Burlington RV Superstore Founder, Passes – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
The RV Dealers Association (RVDA) announced today (March 27) that Russell Wegge, founder of longtime RVDA member dealership Burlington RV Superstore in Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, March 21, at the age of 92.
Russ and his wife Pat raised five children and founded Burlington Camping and LP Gas Service. There they started out by renting folding camping trailers from their front yard. The business grew with the popularity of the camping lifestyle. They eventually changed the name to Burlington Camping & Travel, and then to Burlington RV Superstore, and through several expansions, became the largest RV dealership in Wisconsin.
The dealership drew camping enthusiasts from all over Wisconsin and northern Illinois. It was only fitting that he and Pat would create the Jayco Big Birds Camping Club. In 2006, after outgrowing the property in Burlington, the company moved to its current location off Highway 20 and I-94 in Sturtevant, Wisc. After 58 years in business, it was sold in 2021 to Lazydays RV, and was since recently acquired by Camping World.
Russ was helpful in the formation of the Burlington Little League and sponsored a Little League team, the “Campers.” He enjoyed attending nearly every game while his grandsons played on the team.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association, Immaculate Conception St. Mary Parish, Aurora at Home Hospice, or to the Burlington Lions Club.
A Mass of Christian burial for Russell will be held on Friday, April 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Burlington. A gathering will follow in Heim Hall to share stories and memories of Russ. A private burial will take place in St. Charles Parish Cemetery.
Click here to read the full obituary by Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory.
