Mary L. Buchholz

FITCHBURG – Mary L. Buchholz, beloved wife and mother, age 78, passed on to eternal life on September 18, 2024 at SSM Monroe Hospice Home. She was born on December 13, 1945 in LaPorte, Indiana, the daughter of Frank H. Stockhausen and Ruth Marie Stockhausen.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Ron; her sons Lauren (wife Lauren) and Geof; brothers William and Frank, sisters Jeanne and Anne, many loved in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

She met Ron Buchholz in 1967 and they were married on May 20, 1972. They had two sons, Lauren Robert born in 1974 and Geoffrey Alan born in 1976.

Mary earned a BS degree in Mathematics and in Computer Science in 1970 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She taught piano and organ in her home while the children were small and then worked as an accountant supervisor/office manager for a number of companies and non-profit organizations before retiring in 2007. 

Mary’s life was defined and framed by the beliefs, people and things she held most closely to her heart and loved without limit. These included Faith/Church; Family; Music, Computers and Mathematics.

FAITH - Mary’s faith in God and involvement in the church started as a young child and continued to grow and was a main force throughout her life. She was a dedicated and devoted member of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Milwaukee. She attended St. Margaret Mary grade school, Divine Savior High School and Mount Mary College. She sang in the choir at St. Margaret Mary Parish. After moving to Madison, she and Ron joined St. Maria Goretti (SMG) Parish and later, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish where she continued to be a devoted member regularly attending Mass each week until her passing. She served in a number of positions at SMG including being a Eucharistic Minister, church organist, song leader, member of the choir and the SMG Carefree Years Club.

Her dedication and devotion to her family closely followed her faith in God. She was a devoted wife and a caring mother for her two sons throughout her life. Her presence and strong will touched the lives of her husband, Ron and sons, Lauren and Geof.

FAMILY - Two years after her marriage, Mary gave birth in 1974 to her first child and son Lauren Robert, who was named after one of Mary’s favorite uncles. In 1976, she gave birth to her second child and son, Geoffrey Alan. Mary made a commitment to be a full time mother for her sons and stayed with them at home. She taught piano lessons in her home to continue to fulfill her love of music.

Mary was active as a youth in Girl Scouts and later in the Boy Scouts as a volunteer leader. This was continuing a tradition from both her and Ron’s families. They continued to raise the boys with the same tradition. Mary earned the coveted Marion Religious Award as a Girl Scout. She served as Den Leader, Webelos Advisor, and Den Leader Coach for Pack 102 for 7 years and as the Treasurer and Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 102 for 6 years, both units sponsored by St. Maria Goretti Parish. 

Mary and Ron loved to provide learning experiences by traveling with their sons to destinations across the country. They traveled to visit family members living in California and Michigan and to visit scenic and historic locations around the country. 

MUSIC - Mary grew up in a house where music played a strong role, as her father learned to play the piano as a child and had hopes that his children would grow to appreciate music as much as he did. A piano occupied a prominent location in the family’s living room and Mary started taking private piano lessons at a young age. She developed a love of music that her father had hoped for and excelled in not only playing the piano but in singing as well. Mary was a church organist, song leader, member of the choir and the SMG Carefree Years Club.

MATHEMATICS & COMPUTERS - Mary attended Divine Savior High School where her love for mathematics was born and where she tutored other students. She attended Mount Mary College where she continued to excel in math, and continued piano classes which correlated with her math skills. She transferred to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, majoring in applied mathematics and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970.

Mary’s interest in computers started while she was a student at UWM when she took a programming class. She was an early adopter of home computers and passed her interest in computers to both her sons. Her friends and family often turned to her for computer help. Her computer expertise and that of her two sons allowed a special bonding between them.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC PARISH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison at 11:00 A.M. on September 26, 2024, with Fr. Brian Wilk presiding. There will be a visitation for family and friends from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service.

To live stream the service please follow this link  https://www.youtube.com/@StThomasAquinasChurchMadison/streams

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Mary’s name to American Cancer Society-Wisconsin Chapter or Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Association. The family asks that you please share your memories.