Loved by a grateful family, Buzz passed away peacefully on Monday, July 4, 2016. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Mary, his parents, George and Ella Marzolf (St. Paul, MN) and siblings, George (Faye), Rosemary, Helen, Margaret (Jerry), Bill (Patty), Mary Anne and Tom.
Buzz is survived by his four children: Mary Beth (Chris) Kissling and their sons, Patrick and Philip; Tom Marzolf; Mike (Nerissa) Marzolf and their children, Tommy Gander Ostrom, Megan and Leo; and by Anne Marie (James) Groetsch and their sons, Maxwell, Harrison and Cooper. He is also survived by his sister, Geri (George) Bodmer, and in-laws Tony Malerich and Essie Marzolf, as well as by many nieces and nephews and their children.
Buzz proudly served his country in the US Army from 1953-1956. Buzz’s career included 36 years as a teacher in elementary and high school classrooms in Detroit and the Twin Cities, most recently as a math and physics teacher at St. Thomas Academy and then Convent of the Visitation schools in Mendota Heights, MN. Post retirement, Buzz continued to share his knowledge and experience with others while working at Lund’s Hardware in River Falls, WI, and as a volunteer teaching English as a second language through UWRF. Buzz served on the St. Croix County (SCC) Board as a County Supervisor for over ten years, as well as the SCC Council on Aging and Disabilities, SCC Substance-Abuse Subcommittee, and SCC County Fair Board.
Some of Buzz’s interests included time with family and friends and his favorite four- legged friend, Angel, woodworking, photography, fishing, camping, classical music, playing scrabble with family and friends, working the New York Times crossword puzzles and sharing his love of language and etymology, including puns and witty turns of phrase.
He and his family would like to thank Minnesota Oncology, Dr. David Ness, ADORAY Home Health and Hospice, Comfort Keepers, Gwen Paulson and many family and friends for their care and compassion during Buzz’s illness.
At Buzz’s generous request, his body has been donated to the Mayo Clinic Anatomical Bequest Program on the day of his death.
His wake will take place on Monday evening, July 11, 2016 from 4:00-8:00 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson, WI. Buzz’s Mass of Christian Resurrection, celebrating his life, will be Tuesday morning, July 12 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 1500 Vine St., Hudson, WI, preceded by a 1-hour visitation. Memorials are preferred to Convent of the Visitation School, St. Thomas Academy, the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, St. Patrick’s Church, Hudson, WI, ADORAY Home Health and Hospice, and Minnesota Oncology.