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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., August 29, 1996, page 18

MERLE "BZ" BIESANZ

Merle "BZ" Biesanz, a lifelong Klickitat County native, died Aug. 23, 1996, in White Salmon, at the age of 79.
Mr. Biesanz was born Jan. 4, 1917, in Trout Lake, to Lydia (Crow) and William Biesanz. He grew up in BZ Corners and White Salmon and lived here all his life except for the eight years, when he spent his winters in Yuma, Ariz.
He worked for Bingen Mills and Warehouse for 20 years and SDS for 20 years, as a sales clerk.
He married Hazel Hathaway in the late 193Os; married Doris Owens in the mid 1950s, she died in 1974; and married Berneice Whitson in 1976.
He was a 50 year member of the Mt. Adams Elks Lodge 1868, where he was organist for many years. He was a member of Husum Hills Mens' Golf Association and former member of the Rhineland Quadrilles. He loved music, golf and crossword puzzles. He played many different instruments and had a band that played at local dance clubs (BZ and His Band).
He was a public address announcer for many years at White Salmon Antlers Baseball games and was the downs marker for the high school football games, when his sons were in school and for many years after.
Mr. Biesanz is survived by his wife, Berneice, White Salmon; sons Bryan Biesanz, Eagle River, Alaska, Nolan Biesanz, Mead, Colo.; daughters Meredith Tuschoff, Clarkston, and Connie Warneke, Clackamas, Ore.; stepsons Hugh Whitson, White Salmon, and Mike Whitson, San Francisco, Calif; sister Florence Bartholomew, The Dalles, Ore.; brother Wayman Biesanz, Carson; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life was held Aug. 27, 1996, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in White Salmon, with Rev. Willem Romeijn officiating. Interment was private.
Memorials may be made to the Tall Elks or the American Cancer Society in care of Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon, who was in charge of the arrangements.

The Skamania County Pioneer, Stevenson, WA., September 11, 1996, page 2

LIFETIME RESIDENT OF KLICKITAT COUNTY DIES

Merle 'BZ" Biesanz of White Salmon died Aug. 23, 1996. He was 79.
Mr. Biesanz was born January 4, 1917 in Trout Lake to Lydia (Crow) and William Biesanz.
He grew up in BZ Corners and White Salmon. He resided here all his life, except for wintering in Yuma, Ariz. for the last eight years.
He was employed at Bingen mills and Warehouse for 20 years, then SDS for 20 years as a sales clerk.
He married Hazel Hathaway in the late 30's. In the mid-50's he married Doris Owens, who died in 1974. In 1976 he married Berneice Whitson.
Mr. Biesanz was a 50-year member of Mt. Adams Elks Lodge #1868, where he was organist for many years. He was a member of Husum Hills Mens Golf Association and a former member of Rhineland Quadrilles.
He loved music, golf and crossword puzzles. He played many different instruments and had a band called BZ and His Band that played at local dance clubs.
Mr. Biesanz was a P.A. announcer for many years at White Salmon Antlers Baseball games. He was the downs marker for the high school football games when his sons were in school and for many years after.
He is survived by his wife, Berneice; sons Bryan of Eagle River, Alaska and Nolan of Mead, Cob.; daughters Meredith Tuschoff of Clarkston, Wash. and Connie Warneke of Clackamas, Ore.; stepsons Hugh Whitson of White Salmon and Mike Whitson of San Francisco, Calif.; sister Florence Bartholomew of The Dalles, Ore.; brother Wayman Biesanz of Carson; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life was held Aug.27, 1996 at the United Methodist Church in White Salmon, followed by private committal.
Contributions in his memory may be given to the Tall Elks or the American Cancer Society, c/o Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon.
Gardner Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.