The Marvin and Rita Tanzer Family Endowment Fund was established by the Tanzer family in memory of their patriarch and to honor his family legacy.

Marv Tanzer believed in hard work, in the tradition of his father who established the family farm in Wheaton. He was active in his church, and he believed it was his duty to show up for his community.

According to his granddaughter, Amanda Tanzer Schafer, Marv believed in the importance of character and meeting one's obligations.

"He told me that the best gift he could give me was his name, and I'm very proud of that," said Amanda, who grew up living next door to the farm. She recalls stories about her grandmother, Rita, who would put her little ones in a playpen while milking the cows nearby.

"My grandparents both cared deeply about this community," said Amanda. "I worked for the Community Foundation of Chippewa County for a few years, and I saw up close how impactful these gifts can be and how they stay right here. That really spoke to her when we decided to start this fund."