Ed Wenzler, president of William Wenzler and Associates-Architects Inc., died last weekend. I'll attend his funeral tomorrow, and naturally it's got me thinking.

Live for the day. It's easier said than done, but shouldn't be. Yet, when someone you know dies "unexpectedly" your thoughts change, you're saddened yet hopeful that God's plan is working, as it should.

Ed Wenzler, besides being one of my father's best friends, was the guy who helped me buy my last car, was currently helping me redo our home and, most importantly, was one of a handful of people who was always smiling, thankful and truly faith and principle-centered.

I remember him pausing to pray before we had lunch the first time. I was with my dad, and Ed's son Chris. Nothing major, just a short 10-second thank you for life and the food on our plates. It spoke volumes about his character.

Wenzler and his family helped grow Milwaukee. In fact, they designed condos in Downtown before it was "cool" and have, for years, developed buildings and stores for Goodwill Industries.

Wenzler, in the prime of his life, was only 54 when he died. And, as my dad said in e-mail to me "I guess he had bigger projects to attend to."

Indeed, that's the circle of life and hopefully it helps us all remember to, at least, do our best to truly live for the day.

A celebration of Wenzler's life and services will be held at Eastbrook Church, 5353 N. Green Bay Ave. (a church he helped design) on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.

Wenzler is survived by his wife, Georgine; sons, Christopher and Michael; father and mother William and Dolores; sisters, Deborah Wenzler Farris and Joan Wenzler Slocum; and brother, John Wenzler.