Diocesan employee, known for ready smile, dies

Anyone who has stopped by the diocesan office complex in the last 19 years will probably remember the smiling wave of the ruddy-complexioned man riding the lawn mower or shoveling snow.

"Bud's main trademark was his wave," said Jim Hogan. "He had a wave and a smile for everybody."

Ervin "Bud" Zastrow, 62, diocesan assistant building and grounds superintendent, died unexpectedly Aug. 5.

"On Sunday, we lost a good friend, a dedicated worker and a fine human being," said Bp. Robert Banks. "He gave us all he could do and more."

Zastrow's special forte were the grounds, along with Bosco Hall (which also houses United Way of Brown County) and Bp. Banks' house and yard.

Before joining the diocesan staff, Zastrow was a homebuilder. During Zastrow's years at the diocese, his sons, Boyd and Troy, also worked stints in diocesan maintenance alongside their father. Zastrow's sister, Marie Van Deurzen, is also employed by the diocese, as Bp. Banks' cook.

"Bud always had 'a good day'," said Jim Bishop, building and grounds superintendent. "Whatever you wanted, he'd help you out. He told me he wanted to work here four or five more years, past normal retirement age."

Al Hanold, who retired as building and grounds superintendent this spring, said, "Bud was a very conscientious, self-motivated and dedicated worker who liked by all the people he worked for and with. Bud had a very pleasant personality and was a great asset to the diocese. He will be missed by all of us."

"Bud was one of the nicest people I ever met," said Hogan, diocesan personnel director. "In all the conversations I ever had with him, I never heard him say a bad thing about anybody."

Zastrow is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his sons Boyd (Darcie) and Troy, a daughter, Vicky (Jason) Van Den Heuvel, two grandchildren, Logan and McKayla Zastrow, three sisters - Marie (Bob) Van Deurzen, Janet (Jim) Duggan, and Audrey (Larry) Zastrow - other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elsie Mae Zastrow, and his parents, Ervin and Agnes. (Agnes Zastrow died Aug. 1, 2001).

Zastrow was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in De Pere. The funeral liturgy was held there, Aug. 9, with Fr. Conrad Kratz, O.Praem, pastor, as celebrant and Bp. Banks offering the final commendation. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

On Aug. 6, the diocese lowered its flags, both at Bona Hall and the diocesan shrine in Robinsonville, in Zastrow's honor.