Elva Madeline Dunham and William Lewis Buenzli

WILLIAM LEWIS BUENZLI was born September 2, 1912 in Madison, Dane, Wisconsin,^{56, 9064} and died November 29, 1999 in Madison, Dane, Wisconsin.^{56, 9064}

He married ELVA MADELINE DUNHAM on October 15, 1938 in St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Madison, Dane, Wisconsin,⁹⁰⁶¹ daughter of ANNA MARY SEYMOUR and ALTON BOYD CHESTER DUNHAM. She was born January 5, 1915 in Tomahawk, Lincoln, Wisconsin,⁹⁰⁶² and died October 31, 2005 in Madison, Dane, Wisconsin.⁹⁰⁶²

• Descendant Reports
  • Samuel Stanley Descendant Report (Ancestor of Elva M. Dunham)
  • Joseph Baker Descendant Report (Ancestor of Elva M. Dunham)
  • William Sutherland Descendant Report (Ancestor of Elva M. Dunham)

• Elva Madeline Dunham and William Lewis Buenzli were members of the St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Madison, Dane, Wisconsin. ⁹⁰⁶¹

Wisconsin State Journal, October 16, 1938⁹⁰⁶¹

Elva Madeline Dunham Weds William Buenzli in St. Raphael's Church

In a formal ceremony Saturday morning in St. Raphael's church, Miss Elva Madeline Dunham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alton B. C. Dunham, 1105 Emerald st., became the bride of William L. Buenzli, son of Mrs. A. J. Buenzli, 1339 Rutledge st. Baskets of white flowers banked the altar, where the service was read at 9 o'clock by the Rev. William Mahoney, assisted by the Rev. Martin McDermott.

The bride's white velvet gown was fashioned with a V neckline, a shirred bodice, and long sleeves that came to a point over her hands. Her veil was caught to her head by a white velvet tiara and extended beyond the train of her gown. Around her neck, she wore a gold chain and cross, and she carried a bouquet of Johanna Hill roses and bouvardia. Mr. Dunham gave his daughter in marriage.

A royal blue velvet gown, designed with a softly shirred bodice and short sleeves, was worn by the maid of honor, Miss Alice Woulfe. A matching tiara was worn on her head, and she carried Token roses.

The bridesmaids, Miss Gertrude Perry of Parsons, Kans., and Miss Virginia Buenzli, wore identical gowns of autumn rust velvet, designed like that of the maid of honor. They wore matching velvet tiaras and carried yellow chrysanthemums and daisy pom pons in fall shades. All three attendants wore cameos, gifts of the bride on the V necklines of their gowns.

Brother Is Usher

Albert Brandt was the best man, and the ushers were Howard Buenzli, brother of the bridegroom, and Paul Umhoefer of Colby, Wis. Joseph Rupp sang several songs, accompanied by Miss Elizabeth Behrend at the organ.

For her daughter's wedding, Mrs. Dunham wore a wine-colored velvet gown with matching accessories. The bridegroom's mother chose a black velvet gown with matching accessories. Both had corsages of gardenias.

Following the ceremony, a wedding breakfast for 25 guests was held at the Madison club. For her wedding trip, the bride wore a wine-colored costume with black accessories. Upon their return, Mr. and Mrs. Buenzli will be at home at 1330 Rutledge st.

U. W. Graduates

The bride was graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1936. Mr. Buenzli, who received his degree from the university law school in 1936, is now special counsel for the trade practice commission.

Wisconsin State Journal, December 3, 1999⁹⁰⁶⁴

Buenzli, Judge William L.

MADISON - Judge William Lewis Buenzli, age 87, of Madison passed away on November 29, 1999 at Attic Angel Health Center. Bill Buenzli was born on September 12, 1912 in Madison to August and Elizabeth (Carey) Buenzli. He married the former Elva Dunham on October 15, 1938 at St. Raphael Cathedral and was a lifelong resident of Madison. Bill attended East High School and went on to the UW-Madison to earn a bachelor's degree in Economics in 1932 and his law degree in 1936. Bill was associated with the firm of Crownhart and Murphy (now Murphy & Desmond) until 1938 and spent six months with the Attorney General. Bill was in practice for a short time with his brother, Howard and Attorney Bill Knudson, after which he continued as a sole practitioner until appointed to succeed Judge Roy Proctor by Governor Gaylord Nelson in 1961. Buenzli served as Court Commissioner for Superior and Circuit Court from 1950-1961 and was elected to the Office of Justice of the Peace thirteen times between 1938 and 1961. As Justice of the Peace, he heard over 10,000 cases. In April, 1962 Bill was elected as County Judge, where he worked in Criminal and Traffic Court. He was re-elected in 1968 and 1974 and retired in 1979, serving as a reserve judge until recently. Jude Buenzli instituted the Traffic Safety School, which provides an alternative to the penalty of a fine and points for minor traffic offenses. Attendance at Traffic Shool helps re-educate drivers about traffic laws and motorist safety. The school is still operating today. Judge Buenzli also pioneered the uniform traffic ticket or No-Fix Ticket. Judge Buenzli was a member of St. Raphael Cathedral Parish, Knights of Columbus and the Elks Lodge. Bill's family and friends enjoyed his unique sense of humor and undeniable quick wit. Bill is survived by his wife, Elva; three children, Suzanne (Ben) Hutchison, William (Denise), and Edward J. (Judith) all of Madison; a brother, Howard (Marget) of Madison; sisters-in-law, Helen Buenzli of Madison; eight grandchildren, Heidi, Brett, Heath, Tyler, Bryan, Paige, Haley and Adrienne; and two great-grandchildren, Zachary and Taryn. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gregory and Philip, and a sister, Virginia (Walter) Lenz. Funeral services will be held at St. Raphael Cathedral at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 1999, with Father David Flanagan officiating.Visitation will be held at Cress Funeral Home on Friday, December 3, 1999 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Apostolate to the Handicapped, American Red Cross, Attic Angel Health Center, or the charity of your choice.

Wisconsin State Journal, November 9, 2005⁹⁰⁶²

Buenzli, Elva M.

MADISON - Elva M. Buenzli, age 90, passed away Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Center. Elva was born on Jan. 5, 1015, in Tomahawk to parents Anna and Alton Dunham. She graduated from Madison Central High School and also from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, earning a degree in political science. On Oct. 15, 1938, Elva married William L. Buenzli at St. Raphael's Cathedral, where she was a member until her death. Elva is survived by her three children, Suzanne (Ben) Hutchison, William D. (Denise) Buenzli and Edward (Judy) Buenzli; eight grandchildren, Heide Meixner, Brett Buenzli, Heath Hutchison, Tyler Buenzli, Bryan Buenzli, Paige Hutchison, Haley Buenzli and Adrienne Buenzli; two great-grandsons, Zachary and Taryn Meixner; and brother-in-law, Howard Buenzli. She was preceded in death by her parents' and her husband, Judge William Buenzli. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, with a visitation at 9 a.m. until the time of service. Monsignor Michael E. Hippee and Monsignor Daniel Ganshert will be officiating. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare, Inc., the American Red Cross or the Apostolate to the Handicapped. A special thanks to the caregivers and medical staff at Meriter Hospital and the Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Center.