Walter Buchholtz

Walter H. Buchholtz, age 95, of Westfield passed away peacefully early Monday morning, February 27, 2012 at Harris Villa. He was born on July 19th, 1916 to Otto and Olga (Kruger) Buchholtz at their home in Springfield Township, Marquette County. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Westfield. He married Thelma Crawford June 22nd, 1940. In 1941, he and Thelma took over the family farm; later purchasing an adjoining farm and together they ran the dairy farm until retiring in the 1970s. Walter served as a volunteer for the Springfield Fire Department; he also served on church committees as well as the creamery board. Besides running a dairy farm he sprayed corn over many, many acres in Marquette County. Necessity being the mother of invention, he built his first tractor from an old Model A Ford car because during World War II there were none for sale. When they purchased the extra farm he dismantled the barn board by board, numbered them and rebuilt it attached to the barn on the original farm. Walter could fix most anything and solve most any mechanical problem. He loved to fish and trap. He caught so many fish he had to smoke them, pickle them and had the best all you could eat family fish fries. He also loved to play euchre and had many helpful hints such as 'turn down a bower, lose for an hour.' In later years, he also enjoyed playing many games of cribbage. Walter will be remembered by everyone for his kind and gentle manner and his sense of humor. He knew how to work hard and play hard and everyone loved him for it. He will be so missed, but he worked so very hard for so many years it is good the Lord has given him rest. Walter is survived by two loving daughters: Kay (Gary) Muehrer of St. Louis, MO and Mary Beth (Jim) Riley of Madison. He is also survived by seven grandchildren that loved him so dearly: David (Mary) Erdman, Kristina (Nicholas) Valera, Jeff (Lynn) Riley, Kim (Les) Crandall, Amy Brockelmeyer, Suzanne (Dave) Takushi, and Jennifer (Josh) Evans as well as 9 great-grandchildren. Walter is further survived by two sisters: Violet Vande Zande of Westfield and Merna (Jim) Frozene of Westfield and a brother, Marlo (Mary) of Westfied. Walter is preceded in death by his wife, daughter, Karen (Ron) Erdman, two sisters: Mavis Daye, Linda Marotz and a brother, Marvin. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Westfield. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Rev. Dale Bahls will officiate and burial will follow at Westfield East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Westfield or Harris Villa Assisted Living. Crawford Funeral of Montello is serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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Previous Events

Funeral Service
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Visitation
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Burial
Saturday, March 3, 2012