Wayne William Buchholz

Wayne Buchholz, 88, of Barnesville, MN died on November 5, 2023, at River Pointe of Moorhead assisted living center, Moorhead, MN with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Barnesville, MN with Rev. Clay Ellingson officiating.  Burial will follow at Deerhorn Cemetery, rural Wilkin County, MN.

Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral service.

Wayne William Buchholz was born July 17, 1935, at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge MN to Ernest and Helen (Martens) Buchholz. He was raised in the Wilkin and Clay County area including living on his great grandfather’s farm as a young child.  While living in Wilkin County, he attended Deerhorn School, a one room schoolhouse, until the 4th grade.  In the 5th grade, his family moved into the city of Barnesville.  He attended elementary school in Barnesville and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1953. 

After graduation, he enlisted in the Army at the end of the Korean war in 1953.  He was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, MO for his basic training and then served at Fort Devens, MA.  He was honorably discharged in September 1955 and received several awards during his service. 

After his discharge from the Army, he attended Moorhead State Teachers College for 4 years.  Following college, he purchased the farmstead that he lived on until he moved into River Pointe of Moorhead.

He was united in marriage to Diane Kay Radel on September 22, 1962, at Christ Lutheran Church in Mitchell Township, Wilkin County, MN. They were blessed with three children.

Wayne and Diane farmed for several years near Downer, MN and their daughters grew up on this farm.  During his active farming years, he raised grain crops as well as a variety of farm animals including cows, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, miniature horses, chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, and even a mule. Probably his favorite animal to raise was his beloved American Eskimo puppies which were the delight of his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  In addition to his love of animals, he enjoyed gardening and had a deep appreciation of nature.

Wayne was active in the Downer Conservation Club, Downer Rod and Gun, American Legion and VFW.

He is survived by his three daughters: Lisa (Rich) Burns of Barnesville, MN; Helen (Scott) Maleska of Farmington, MN; Carol (Cory) Holland of Fargo, ND; nine grandchildren: Matthew (Ariel Schmidt) Grommesh, Jared Grommesh, Aaron Grommesh, Darby Mickish, Nicole (Ryan) Schleicher, Austin (Madi Christianson) Nieland, Brooke (Taylor) Watts, Kelli (Nick Chapdelaine) Maleska, Beth Maleska; six great-grandchildren: Keita Grommesh, Loic Grommesh, Gavin Schleicher, Sophia Schleicher, Nora Watts, Layden Nieland; three brothers-in-law: Richard (Becky) Radel of Stillwater, MN; Myron (Ellen) Radel, Wilmar, MN; Dallas Radel, Minneapolis, MN; sister-in-law, Myrna Jorgenson, MN.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his brother, Lloyd Buchholz.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the wonderful staff at River Pointe of Moorhead.  They not only provided excellent care to Wayne, they went out of their way to give him comfort and to know him as a person.