David Edward Buchholz of Peterson, Minn., passed away on November 14, 2025, at Valley View Healthcare in Houston, Minn. Dave’s last days were filled with love, with his wife family and friends at his side. He was 84.
Dave, as he was called by all, was born on April 4, 1941, to Edward and Alice (Kortgaard) Buchholz in Mahnomen, Minn. The second of three children, Dave grew up with his older sister Carol (Petry) and younger brother Steve. His early childhood years were spent in Waubun, Minn., and Hillsboro, N. Dak., before moving with his family to Mahnomen when he was 16.
During his school years, Dave was very active in sports and music. He was starting forward for the basketball team, an end on the football team, and pole vaulted in track, where he went to state. He also was a good trombone player and sang in the choir. He graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1959. He loved to hunt, fish, water ski and often talked about having an antique automobile. His first car was an early model Chevrolet he called Henry Flattery the 5th (Flattery will get you nowhere).
Dave attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Sociology. While at Concordia, he sang in a trio, played ukulele and was a member of the Mondamin Society. Concordia is where he met his wife, Barbara Miller, on a blind date set up by his cousin. On December 8, 1963, after a three-year courtship, Dave and Barb were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead during a blizzard.
After college Dave worked as a bank teller and at a clothing store called the Fargo Toggery, however the Vietnam War draft redirected his life into a distinguished career as an officer and pilot in the U.S. Air Force. His military service began as a loadmaster for cargo planes. Dave later was accepted into Officer Training School and became a pilot. His primary time was spent flying a C-141 Starlifter jet cargo plane carrying military supplies outbound to Vietnam and warfare casualties on return. He literally flew around the world on each assignment. Dave later was stationed in Thailand where he flew a HH-43 helicopter outfitted for local base rescue and fighting aircraft fires. In December 1971, while assigned to Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Ariz., his daughter Erin was born and in April 1974, while stationed in Plattsburgh, N.Y., the birth of his second daughter, Patricia “Patty” Ann was announced. Following the war, Dave was assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, La., where he flew a Gulfstream private jet; his passengers were top military personnel. During the last years of his military tenure, Dave moved his family to Sioux Falls, S.Dak., and held the role of Air Force liaison to the Civil Air Patrol in the Midwest region.
Upon retirement, after 26 years of serving his country, he happened upon a “second” career. Dave’s lifelong desire to learn led him to a seminar in southern Minnesota on trees. While exploring the area, he came upon the old school in Peterson, Minn., empty and for sale. What better place to combine his passions of renovation, antiques, landscaping and providing a wonderful haven for family and friends. He and Barb devoted more than 30 years to refurbishing and caring for the old schoolhouse, even running an antique shop on the first floor for nine years. Dave would write of those adventures and experiences with wit, wisdom and love. Those lucky enough to receive Dave’s wonderful writings, be it an email, card or Christmas letter, knew that he could have had a third career as a writer.
Dave’s legacy of storytelling, giving, inventiveness and hard work will be cherished.
Southeast Minnesota held a special place in Dave’s heart. Dave and Barb have commemorated their love for the area by sponsoring a tree to be planted near the historic Peterson bandstand that Dave helped restore many years ago. We invite you to visit this special place.
Dave is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Barbara; daughter Erin Petersen and husband Brad of Roseville, Minn., grandsons Tyler Petersen and fiancé Emma Wachholz of Stacy, Minn., and Ryan Petersen of Little Canada, Minn., son-in-law Gary Willrett and grandchildren Bethany and Trace of Ruthven, Iowa; sister Carol Petry of Ada, Minn., brother Steve Buchholz and wife Deb of Plymouth, Minn., brother-in-law and sister-in-law Don and Lylia Miller of Houghton, S.Dak., brother-in-law Dave Nelson of Oskaloosa, Iowa, sister-in-law Patti Awad of Overland Park, Kans., along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Patty Ann Willrett, brother-in-law Luverne Petry, sister-in-law Kay Nelson, brother-in-law Nick Awad, niece Maggie Buchholz, father-in-law and mother-in-law Donald and Millicent Miller.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford, Minn., with visitation from 1-2 p.m. and a time of fellowship following the service.
Interment to be held in Houghton, S.Dak., in the spring.
Service will be livestreamed. Please follow the link below to watch remotely. view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc2MzczNzM3NzM4OTc3NSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw
Arrangements by Hoff Funeral & Cremation Services of Rushford.
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