Merton E. Buchholtz, 93, Waterford, died unexpectedly with his loving family by his side on May 5, 2015, at Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee.
He was born on Aug. 21, 1921, in Waterford, to the late Martin and Gertrude (Johnson) Buchholtz. He graduated from Waterford High School.
On Aug. 30, 1952, he married Carol Damerow at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Grafton. He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and lifelong resident in the Town of Waterford. He devoted his life to the children and working on the family dairy farm.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, which included an overseas tour in Germany and Czechoslovakia. He was a sharpshooter, earning a Bronze Star. He was also a member of Waterford’s American Legion Post 20. A highlight of his senior years included a trip to Washington DC on the Honor Flight, visiting the national war memorial and other historic sites. He enjoyed talking about the trip and proudly wore his jacket and cap.
He was a lifelong farmer, early in life working on Deak’s Sod Farm, and later taking over the homestead farm. He milked cows well into his retirement years. He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman who enjoyed deer hunting on the family land, as well as many trips up north and out west to Montana and Colorado.
As a young man, he spent hours with Herb Foat maintaining a trap line on the Fox River. He was a collector of Native American Indian arrows. In the winter months, he enjoyed snowmobiling. He had a passion for woodcutting, heating the home for many years after retirement by sawing, splitting, and stacking wood.
In his later years he also enjoyed driving the grandchildren around the local area, stopping by neighbors and sharing good times. He genuinely enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also spent a lot of time on his four-wheeler, driving around the land, looking for deer, turkeys, and admiring the new generation farmers who continue the tradition.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He shared a lot of local historic knowledge that friends and neighbors enjoyed listening to.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Carol; children, Sandy Senft, William (Stephanie), Sarah, Dale (Janet); grandchildren, Beth (Todd) Morawetz, Becky (Jon) Arneson of Maple Plains, Minn., Breanne (Klay) Schultz, Andrew, Joshua, Matthew, Carrie, Derik Chapman, Cassandra (Steve) Fischer and Kaitlyn; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Jack, Taylor, Jake, Megan, Desi, DJ, JJ, Brooke, Reid, Rylie, Allie, Tenlie, Alaina, Alejandro, Mariela, Madison, Kylie and Andrew and Casey; brother, Fritz; sister, Lois Marie; sister-in-law, Eileen (Larry) Woyach.
He was further preceded in death by son, David; sisters, Janet Gunderson and Eunice Dahm; and son-in-law, Floyd Senft.
Visitation is Friday, May 8, from 4-5:45 p.m., at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 145 S. Sixth St., Waterford. Service will begin at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Joshua Conradt officiating. A light luncheon will follow after the service.
In lieu of floral expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Merton’s name. Mealy Funeral Home, Inc. Waterford, is serving the family.
Well-wishers can visit www.mealyfuneralhome.com.
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