Obit: Zager, Donald L. “Buzzy” (1938 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Zager, Hillman, Portz, Zeidler, Erickson, Fern, Sergejs, Stepanovs, Bornbach, Hanne, Berkholtz, Dix, Herbers, Bottensek, Bischoff, Schwanz

----Source: Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 1/14/2022

Zager, Donald L. “Buzzy” (3 October 1838 – 12 January 2022) With Flag

Donald L. “Buzzy” Zager, 83, passed away on Jan. 12, 2022, at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, due to a short illness.

Don was born on Oct. 3, 1938, in Neillsville, the son of Richard and Caroline (Hillman) Zager. He graduated from Greenwood High School in 1956. Immediately after graduation, he served our country in the U.S. Air Force for four years.

He met his first wife while stationed at Ellsworth Air Force base in Rapid City, South Dakota. They were married in 1959 and had four wonderful children together. They were divorced in 1981.

Don married Janet Portz on June 1, 1985. Last year, they celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary.

Don was a Marshfield firefighter from Nov. 28, 1960, to Dec. 31, 1991. During that time, he became Lieutenant and then Deputy Fire Chief. He also worked at Nelson’s Shoe & Hobby for 40-plus years.

For 60-plus years, Don enjoyed trap shooting, and had won many awards over the years. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle, photography, restoring his Thunderbird, playing cards and shaking dice. He loved to travel by his van through many states, sightseeing and visiting with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; daughters, Veronica (Ken) Zeidler, Mary Zager, Nancy (Ed) Erickson; son, Scott (Michele) Zager; granddaughters, Aimee (Dana) Fern (and their daughter, Alexandra), Ashely (Sergejs) Stepanovs (and their children, Natalya and Alexandra), Jessica Bornbach; sister, Carol Hanne; and brother, Roger (Chris) Zager; sister-in-law, Sharon Zager; and many nieces and nephews. He is further survived by stepchildren, Linda Berkholtz (Brian Dix), Melanie (Walt) Herbers, Kevin (Connie) Portz, Kathy (Art) Bottensek, Amy (Randy) Bischoff, and Jason (Cherian) Portz; 11 step-grandchildren and 21 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Duane Zager; nephew, Richard Zager; and brother-in-law, Elroy Hanne.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at the Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home (1010 E. Veterans Pkwy, Marshfield) with the Rev. Chris Schwanz officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home. Firefighter and Military Honors will take place.

Online condolences may be made at www.hansenschillingfuneralhome.com  for your convenience.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald, please visit our floral store.