Mary Lou Buchholtz

Mary Lou Buchholtz of Westfield, passed away peacefully at Lily Meadows on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the age of 88.

Mary’s Wisconsin roots run deep. She was born on March 1st, 1937, in Waupaca, WI. She grew up on her family farm in Almond, WI, with six siblings. After graduating from Almond High School in June, 1954, she attended Columbia Hospital School of Nursing in Milwaukee and graduated in April, 1958. Her first job as a registered nurse was in Sheboygan, WI. A year later in June of 1959, she married Marlo Buchholtz, her husband of 63 years. After the wedding, she was uprooted temporarily from WI and moved to Bisbee, AZ, where Marlo was on active duty at Fort Huachuca. Mary and Marlo put down roots in Westfield after he was discharged from the Army, where she bloomed and flourished as a wonderful wife, mother, and grandma. She continued her nursing career at Wautoma, and then finally as an OB nurse at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, WI. Mary was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Westfield.

Mary wrote in one of her scrap books that her hopes for the future were to enjoy her grandchildren and watch them grow, and to enjoy and love her friends and hobbies. She certainly checked all of those boxes. Her three grandchildren were the love of her life. She enjoyed gardening, quilting and taking bus trips with her quilting friends, and traveling. As the years passed, she became an avid reader and always looked forward to Bible study. She enjoyed hosting family and friends at her home, whether it was around her dinner table or the card table for some bridge, canasta, or spades. She never permanently gave up her nursing, as she was a caregiver to Marlo in his later years, and never hesitated to help friends and family in need of a little TLC.

Mary was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her daughter Kerry (Buchholtz) Schueler and son-in-law Darrel Schueler of Coralville, IA; sister Nancy (Vaughn) Burns of Stevens Point, WI; sister-in-law Merna (Buchholtz) Frozene of Westfield; grandchildren Capt. Connor Schueler, USMC, Okinawa, Japan; Kara Schueler of New Vienna, IA; Collin Dorow of Waukesha, WI; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Marlo Buchholtz, daughter Kelly (Buchholtz) Dorow, parents Harry and Lucille Vaughn, and 5 siblings. We will all cherish our personal memories of Mary, but should also rejoice, knowing that she is now with the Lord and her heavenly family.

A visitation for Mary will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Westfield from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jesse Davis officiating. Interment will be at Pleasant View Cemetery, Town of Springfield, immediately after the ceremony. Please join the family for a luncheon at the church following the burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to Immanuel Lutheran Church. 

Mary’s family would like to extend a warm thank you to her beloved friends, neighbors, residents of the community, and caregivers at Lily Meadows and Moments Hospice who have provided so much love and support in these last few years as Mary navigated the challenges of aging and end-of-life.