Earl Buchholtz

Earl J. Buchholtz, 87, Bismarck, died peacefully at his home with his family by his side, on May 6, 2008. Services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, May 12, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Nate Keith officiating. Burial will be in ND Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm Sunday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Earl Joseph was born September 22, 1920, in Magnus, ND, the son of Christ and Annie Ebel Buchholtz. His family moved from Magnus to Wilton in December of 1920. He started grade school in 1926 at Wilton Grade School. In 1927, they moved to Baldwin where he spent three years in the Baldwin School District. Then the family moved to a farm east of Baldwin. He finished through the 8th grade in Cromwell/Ghylyn Townships. Earl spent most of his teens on the family farm and working for neighbors. He enlisted in the Navy in June 1942. He served in World War II and served until December 16, 1945. He was an excellent cook and baker for the Navy. He was able to travel extensively, patrolling the South Atlantic and beyond. Then he was transferred to the North Atlantic doing convey duty, taking troops to England and Scotland. He served in the Navy until the war ended. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Elks and Eagles. When Earl came home from the war, he went back to his family's farm. From there, he went to work for Farmers Union, first in the gas stations and then into the Cenex warehouse until it closed in 1982. After retiring he did odd jobs and farmed his land east of Baldwin. He met Kay Gange in Bismarck where she went to beauty school and they were married on April 12, 1950 at Church of St. Mary, Bismarck. They lived on a farm before moving to Karlsruhe in 1952. Earl and Kay moved from Karlsruhe to Bismarck in February 1953. On October 30, 1960, they moved into their house that they forever called home and truly created a home for their daughter, Sharon and grandchildren, Kristle and Justin. He and Kay were the only daycare providers his grandchildren ever knew. He lovingly built them a playhouse in his backyard and always kept it painted and shingled. As was Earl's style, he tenderly cared for his family and did things the way they should be done. One of Earl's greatest joys was planting his garden every Spring and sharing his abundance of vegetables with family, friends and neighbors. He always enjoyed a good game of pinochle and good old-fashioned German weddings. He and Kay traveled to Hawaii, England, Europe, Canada, the East Coast and the Caribbean. In later years, visiting with his friends and telling stories of "the good 'ol days" kept him busy. Earl was a loving, patient father and grandfather. These special memories will be cherished by his family. His three canine companions, Bandit, Teddy and Panda will miss him for all the treats he gave them. He is survived by his wife, Kay; his daughter, Sharon Bob Haider and his two grandchildren, Kristle Jess Fried and Justin Haider all of Mandan, ND; his brother, Gene Clara Buchholtz of Missoula, MT; and his sister, Donna Plienis of Tacoma, WA. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Joan; his parents; his brothers, Leonard, Alfred, Walter, George and Roy; his sisters, Leona Anderson, Violet Schatz; and infant twin siblings. The family requests memorials to St. Alexius Hospice.

Earl Buchholtz

September 22, 1920 - May 6, 2008