Esther Buchholz

Esther Heine Buchholz, 81, died at her Bismarck home on December 27, 2003. Funeral services will be Friday at 10:30 AM at First United Methodist Church in Bismarck with the Rev. Kermit Culver officiating. Burial will be Friday at 3:00 PM CT at Hazen City Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service and will continue Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. Esther Heine was born on September 25, 1922, in Alfred, North Dakota, the daughter of Edward and Marie Schlenker Heine. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Gackle High School in 1941. On June 27, 1943, she married Benjamin Buchholz. Esther earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Valley City State College. She began her teaching career in 1942, and taught near Lehr and Fredonia, North Dakota, for eight years. In 1960, her family moved to Hazen, North Dakota, where she taught Remedial Reading and 4th grade from 1960 - 1987. She was an educator for 35 years. After retiring, Esther moved to Bismarck where she volunteered at the Adult Learning Center and greatly enjoyed helping adults finish their high school courses to get their GED Certificates. She also volunteered at St. Alexius and Medcenter One Hospitals, and Burleigh County Nursing. She enjoyed reading, traveling, crossword puzzles, and her great passion was making quilts and blankets for her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughters. She had a deep abiding faith in God and was a member of First United Methodist Church. Esther is survived by three daughters, Carolyn Wegerle of Bismarck, Jan Kindem and her husband, Wayne of Bismarck, and Kathi Thomson and her husband, Roy of Devon, England; five grandchildren, John Kindem of Shakopee, Minnesota, Paula Kindem of Moorhead, Minnesota, Karen Barteski of Surprise, Arizona, John Wegerle of Belcourt, North Dakota, and Nancy Wegerle of Evans, Colorado; five great-granddaughters, Audrey and Brandi Wegerle of Indio, California, Hailey and Meagen Kindem of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Alexandra Kindem of Shakopee, Minnesota; and two sisters, Clara Kuck of Billings, Montana, and Lorraine Lachenmeier of Hardin, Montana. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; seven sisters; and two brothers.

Esther Buchholz

September 25, 1922 - December 27, 2003