August Philip Buenzli

August Philip Buenzli, known to all as Augie, passed away on July 6, 2024, in Oconomowoc, WI. Born on October 6, 1941 to Helen (Welch) Buenzli and Philip Buenzli, Augie was a resident of Oconomowoc since 2005. He met his beautiful wife, Kathryn (Kathy) in 1963, married two years later in 1965, and built a life together for 59 years. Kathy has been his lifelong companion and tireless caregiver.

Before meeting Kathy and after graduating from Edgewood High School, Augie tried his hand at being a cowboy on his great uncle's ranch in Montana. Finding that the cowboy life wasn't for him, he joined the Army to fulfill dreams of becoming a helicopter pilot. Thankfully, the Army had closed their training program, keeping Augie out of armed conflict and reassigning him as a flight scheduler. When Augie left the military, he began working in the field for General Motors. This work evolved into the professional career of finance in the banking and mortgage business for the next 40 years.

Throughout his colorful life, Augie was a loving member of his family and community. He was as loyal and as generous as he was intelligent. He patronized the same pharmacy for decades even though that meant driving twenty miles out of his way. The local pizza parlor staff knew him by name, and he maintained lifelong friendships from his time in the Waukesha Jaycees. He showed his commitment to beloved organizations by regular donations to The Love, Lake Country Caring, Lake Area Free Clinic, Oconomowoc Food Pantry, HAWS, and others.

Augie loved hobbies that reflected his need to share time with others. Weekends would find him grilling steaks or driving the family to Holy Hill to take in the beauty of the fall foliage. He will be remembered for his love of golfing, endless supply of uplifting jokes, spirited cribbage games, and playing pool on his grandfather’s table. His children will remember him as the one who taught them the difference between a bluegill and a perch, how to debate with passion, and how to expertly manage their money.

Predeceased by his parents, his sister Nancy Jo (Bob McPherson), and brother Rodney (Cam), Augie’s memory is honored and kept alive by his wife Kathryn Darlene (West), his children, Ann Buenzli (Chuck Halberstadt), Michael (Cindi) and David (Carmen), his cherished grandchildren, Raymond and Helen, his brother Lee (Ann), and a host of nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Augie’s life will be held on August 12, 2024, at Saint Jerome Parish, 995 S Silver Lake St, Oconomowoc, WI 53066. Visitation will be from 12:30p – 2p, followed by Mass.

Military honors service will immediately follow Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the Buenzli family kindly requests donations be made to Augie’s favorite charity, the Oconomowoc Food Pantry, PO Box 832, Oconomowoc, WI 53066.