Elizabeth "Betty" Buchholz

With great sorrow and much love we mourn the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother on September 16, 2024. She was 96 years old.

Elizabeth “Betty” Buchholz was born May 18, 1928 in Grand Chute, WI the daughter of Elmer and Ella Gustin Spaulding. Betty and her family moved to Waupun, WI in 1940 where she attended Waupun schools and graduated from Waupun High School. On November 21, 1945 she married Eugene Buchholz in Waukegan, IL. Following their marriage, the couple resided in Waupun all their married lives.

Betty was a very involved member of the Waupun United Methodist Church, having served on several committees. She was an active member of the Waupun Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, a past member and chaplain of the Eastern Star, and a member of the Heritage Museum in Waupun. Betty was a founder of Volksfest and loved to polka. In addition she served Mobile Meals and was awarded “Outstanding Senior Citizen of Fond du Lac County” in 1995.

Betty was a 13th generation descendent of George Soule, one of the Mayflower passengers. She also belonged to the Mayflower Society, the Soule Kindred, and was a D.A.R. member.

Betty and Eugene enjoyed traveling together in the United States and various other countries. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She had five children; 12 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She enjoyed life to the fullest.

Betty is survived by her children: Barbara (Joseph) Davis of Santa Monica, CA, William (Pamela) Buchholz of Waupun, Steven (Sandra) Buchholz of Waupun, and Susan (Ottis) Smith of Appleton, WI; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law: Karen Spaulding and Take’ Spaulding.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene “Gene” Buchholz in 2010; daughter, Linda Richardson in 2007; Four brothers: William Spaulding in 2005, Lawrence “Jim” Spaulding in 2015, Richard Spaulding in 2018, Donald Spaulding in 2024; a sister, Shirley Brendemuehl in 2011; son-in-law, Bonham Richardson in 2020; sister-in-law: Corinne Spaulding in 2021; brother-in-law, Roger Brendemuehl in 2023. 

Betty’s family wishes to gratefully thank the staff at Prairie Ridge in Waupun for their loving, attentive care to Betty during her final two years and a thank you to SSM Health at Home for their outstanding care.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 12 noon at Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun with Pastor Steve Miller officiating. Burial will take place at Forest Mound Cemetery in Waupun. Friends and relatives may call on the family on Thursday at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Waupun United Methodist Church and mailed to 199 E. Jefferson St. Waupun WI 53963 or to SSM Health at Home in Fond du Lac at Health at Home