Eileen Buzzell

She married Lee Buzzell in 1946, moving to Spring Valley, Minnesota and later to Worthington, Minnesota before settling in Bettendorf, Iowa, where he started Valley Beverage Company. For several years she fielded calls for the business while at home with their children.

Eileen was a professional mother who reprised her career with her own eight children by fostering twenty-four newborns in succession, as well as providing child care in several personal arrangements. She was nominated for Diana Award in the late 1970s.

Her other interests included Multi-Chords women’s ensemble choral group, and a decades-long involvement with C.A.S.I. Chorus and with C.A.S.I. band, where she played the French horn. She was fond of the musical term, “play into your rest,” and indeed she did so. She was a faithful member of her church. She was gratified later in life to be able to visit Japan, and to explore her heritage in Norway.

Eileen is survived by her sister, Betty Kunz; her children and their spouses: Arthur and Marlo Buzzell, Diana and Greg Jones, Myrle and Paula Buzzell, Penny Buzzell Rhomberg, Robert Buzzell, David and Jodi Buzzell, Tracy and Charles Kiebler, and Thomas and Tracy Buzzell; grandchildren: Amelia, Christy, Lori, Julie, Jeff, Tara, Matthew, Patrick, Colin, Elaina, Daniel, Alex, Nikki, Steven, Brandon, Jenny, Calvin, CJ, and Logan; great-grandchildren: Ryan, Abby, Shelby, Emily, Sarah, Jack, Ava, Leah, Will, Nathan, Nicholas, Vincent, Audrey, Landen, Grace, Danica, Gavin, Brayden, Donovan, Jesse, Drew, Renesme, Evelyn, and Grayson.

“Her children shall rise up and call her blessed.”

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lee; siblings, Lloyd, Myrle and Helen; and by infant twins, Matthew and Mark.

She was honored by her family at a private service. Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, C.A.S.I., or Feed My Starving Children.