Lee S. Buenzli

Lee S. Buenzli, age 79, passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton surrounded by family. On July 8, 1946, Lee Stephen was born in Madison, Wisconsin to Philip and Helen (Welch) Buenzli. Following his high school graduation, Lee continued his education at the Madison Business College to become an accountant.
On May 31, 1969, Lee was united in marriage to Ann Grosse at St. Dennis Catholic Church in Madison.
Lee and Ann soon moved to Eau Claire, WI, to raise their family there. Lee was a tireless volunteer in the community looking for ways to make a difference. He was active in the Jaycees and played an integral part in bringing the Blue Angels to Eau Claire for the first Air Show. He also helped organize and run the annual Eau Claire festival, Sawdust City Days. When he aged out of the Jaycees organization, he used his drive to serve and knowledge of numbers to assist with the United Way, Kiwanis, and Friends of the Chippewa River Trail. He and Ann were also active members of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Eau Claire and are current members of St. Margaret Mary church in Neenah.
When Lee wasn't working in the community, he could always be found at the ball field, gym, or pool, supporting his daughters and later grandchildren in everything they chose to participate in. He was a kind, loving, caring and generous man that will be missed by many.
Lee will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 56 years, Ann; their daughters: Erin (Nicole) Buenzli and Becky (Troy) Lighthizer; their grandchildren: Andrew (Ally) Lighthizer, Tanner (Mackenzie) Lighthizer, Anya and Sophie Buenzli; and two great-grandchildren scheduled to arrive in January and July 2026; his sisters-in-law: Kathy Buenzli, Cam Mazer, Nancy (Bill) Capper, Janet Besadney, Toni (Mark) Chamberlain; his brothers-in-law: Robert McPherson and Paul (Tara) Grosse and many nieces and nephews.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents: Philip and Helen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Edward and Jennelyn Grosse; his daughter, Leann Buenzli; his siblings: August Buenzli, Nancy Jo McPherson, and Rodney Buenzli, and brothers-in-law David Grosse, William Kottka and Bruce Besadny.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Lee at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 10, 2026 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 620 Division Street, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956. A Time to Gather will be held from 10:00 AM until the hour of the Mass at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in memory of Lee to:
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 400 S Executive Dr. #109 Brookfield, WI 53005
https://give.cff.org/yearendweb/Donate?rbref=YE25donate&donate=100
The family would like to thank the nurses and physicians at St. Elizabeth's Hospital ICU who supported Lee and us.