Fern Ruth Buchholtz

Fern Ruth (Knight) Buchholtz, 91 of La Crosse died at her home on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. She was born July 22, 1925 in La Crosse to Henry A. and Clara (Poehling) Knight. Fern lived in Galesville, WI until 1938 and attended grade school there. She attended Lincoln Middle School and Central High School in La Crosse. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse for over 70 years.

Fern married the love of her life, Wilford “Buck” Buchholtz at the North Presbyterian Church on August 16, 1941. They were married for 63 ½ years until his passing in May 2004. Fern worked for Quillins IGA for 25 years, Country Market on the north side for 6 years and Larson IGA for 2 years. She also served as a past president of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 52 of La Crosse.

Fern is survived by four sons and a daughter; Garold (Cheryl) Buchholtz of Peoria, AZ; Gale (Kathy) Buchholtz of La Crosse, Ronald (Jean) Buchholtz of Belle Plaine, MN, Willard Buchholtz of La Crosse and Debra (Michael) Sather of La Crosse; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband , she was preceded in death by her parents; a great-grandson, Peyton Zielke; two dear daughters-in-law, Jeanne Buchholtz and Kathleen Buchholtz; four half- brothers, Alfred, Robert and George Knight; a special half-brother, Horce “Tim” Knight; two half-sisters, Mary Smith and Carrie Knight; her grandparents, George and Mary Knight and Herman and Roslia Poehling; a special cousin, Joanne (Poehling)Fergeson; two brothers-in-law, Azra and Orvis Buchholtz; three sisters-in-law, Genevieve Buchholtz Terhune, June Student and Lorraine Nimocks, who was also her best friend.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7 ^th at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse. Private family entombment will be held in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Dr. J. Taylor Haley officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 233 West Avenue South, La Crosse or the American Legion Post 52, 711 South 6 ^th Street, La Crosse.