Bernice Zamzow Obituary

Be passed away on March 17, 2008, from a heart attack at the age of 76. Longtime resident of Whitefish Bay. Beloved wife and best friend of Earl "Blacky" Zamzow. Loving mother of Mark (Fran) and Scott (Meg) Zamzow. Proud grandmother of Kyle, Dean, and Chad. Blacky wrote the following in loving memory of Be: In spite of being tied up weekends with her boyfriend (me) who had graduated three years previously, this loving, caring, friendly person became student union director and was selected prom queen at Ripon College. These personality traits, in addition to raising two outstanding boys, enabled her to surround herself with acquired daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, and yes, even fathers and mothers. Be was loved by so many, it didn't seem like there was room for more people in her life, but they found her. She leaves us with a void, but the memories will remain vibrant.Be was born and raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, except for a brief period during the depression when her family moved to Chicago. She moved to Ripon College in 1949. She graduated in 1953, married and moved to West Allis with her teacher husband. She worked briefly for ATT, and then worked as a Girl Scout director for three years before dropping out of the workforce to raise a family. Her brief stint with ATT brought a friendship of several women who in retirement met for lunch several times a year. She served the usual motherhood career as cub pack leader; church youth group leader, and Sunday school teacher. In the late 70's she returned to work, this time as staff assistant for an appraiser, until she retired in 1988. Be's retirement enabled her to enjoy taking major European trips with Glen Ellyn friends, and friends acquired along the way. She loved her time in Door County at the Rushes with family and friends. Many men would have been jealous of all that competition, but I only loved her and you all the more, because it made her happy and defined her life. Be and I frequently commented on what a great life it is and has been. Now, you might ask: who had the better life? Except for the few months Be had in Chicago I would say it was a draw. The college years were also a draw, except I spent 3 ½ years looking for my "Be." The family years of teaching and coaching, with the kids along for a number of Army schools, tours at Ft. McCoy, 5 summers at Wesleyan University, a few weeks at Homer's cottage in Door County tremendous years where we bonded the family. Certainly the kid's high school and college years were exciting. And finally, with the chapters of careers and family togetherness behind us, it became "our" time closing out with the easy years. So, it appears to have been a draw: 21 equal years of growing up, 37 years of a great family life, followed by almost 20 years of an ideal retirement. But overall, the edge goes to Be: she was the people person, I was the goal person. I envied her people skills; I relied on her for my memory bank. I wish she were here to remind me of your name. Services were held on Saturday, March 22, at the Feerick Funeral Home. Memorials in Be's name may be made to the Zamzow Family Scholarship Fund, Ripon College, PO Box 248, Ripon, WI 54971. FEERICK FUNERAL HOME 2025 East Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, 53211 414 962-8383 Condolences may be sent to: www.feerickfuneralhome.com