Orvin Buchholz

Orvin E. Buchholz was born on August 14, 1939. He was the oldest of three children, born to Michael “Herman” Buchholz and Christina (Schock) Buchholz. Orvin was born and raised on the family farm 6 miles SW of Tuttle, ND. 

Only speaking German, Orvin began his education at country school, learning to speak English and completing his education at Tuttle Public School.

Orvin always had a love for trucking, beginning his driving career in September of 1961, driving for Clinton Krause, of Chaseley, ND. He continued to drive commercially, helping on the family farm during summer months, until his father’s health began to fail. 

In January of 1965, Orvin married MaryAnn Diede. They made their home on the family farm. To this union were born three children: Valarie, Deanna, and Christina. It was during this time, Orvin’s father passed away and he began farming full time. Orvin and MaryAnn later divorced.

Orvin met Darlene Stratton in 1977. Although they parted ways, Orvin was blessed with a daughter, Mary, in February of 1979. 

Through mutual friends, Orvin was introduced to the “infamous” Mary B. On November 10th, 1981, they said their “I do’s” and Mary and her sons, Doug and Joe moved to the farm, completing Orvin’s family. 

If it had a motor and gears, Orvin was in his happy place! After several years of farming, Orvin and Mary started Buchholz Trucking, LLC. For 35 years you could find Orvin tooling all around the state, along with his 4-legged copilots, hauling anything from big equipment to coal. Many times, Mary B. would be leading the way as the pilot. With both having health issues, Buchholz Trucking, LLC was retired in April of 2023. 

Throughout the years, Orvin met many people and left a lasting impression. If you had five minutes to listen, he would talk for ten! He truly enjoyed visiting and made many friends. It would be safe to say that he had over a million miles on the highways but even more in hours of conversation! About the only time Orvin would not be conversing, was on Sunday. At 12:00 p.m. sharp, he would turn on his radio, which was tuned in to KBMR and listen to polka and waltz music and when that program ended, he would turn on the tv and listen to the Clarence Sayler Polka Place. He loved a good Polka Fest!

Work is in Orvin’s DNA. He was not content to not be working. After retirement from trucking, he would spend countless hours “working” in the shop, with his best friend, Carl Knutson, a.k.a “Big Brother,” (9 years his elder). The two of them were always working or creating projects. To watch the two of them work, was nothing short of astonishing. Having the ability to visualize building a truck or revising a motor and then taking the idea and bringing it to fruition. Skills that are so easily overlooked or taken for granted. 

We are so thankful that Orvin had such a friend, as Carl. Truly a blessing in so many ways, especially after Mary B. entered the Wentz Living Center. She was so grateful Orvin had his “Big Brother.”

Orvin is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Mary; his sister, Aggie (Richard) Stecher-Glendive, MT; six children: Valarie Buchholz - Tuttle, Deanna (Chad) Muth – Bismarck, Doug (Rhonda) Brincks - Kasson, MN, Christina Buchholz - Bismarck, Joe (Nicole) Brincks - Mandan, and Mary (Gary) Brown - Hazelton, ND; 11 grandchildren: Mateena (Matt) Heaton, Chasity Gabriel – Bismarck, ND, Anthony (Nikki) Stockert - Lincoln ND, Alexis Stockert – Bismarck, ND, Myranda Elmer – Mobridge, SD and Nathan Muth – Mandan, ND, Owen and Emline Brincks – Mandan, ND, Sierra, Abby and Maddy Becker – Bismarck, ND; 14 great-grandchildren: Chaylynn Scherr, Landry, Harrison, Emmeric, and Ayla Elmer, Rylee, Kodee and Jake Heaton, Hadley and Haystin Stockert, Aubrey Whitebull, Aiden and Andre West, and Gatlen Feist; sister-in-law, Kathy (Steve) Solko-Manternach - Nevada, IA; and brother-in-law, Philip (Jan) Mans - Mankato, MN; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved four-legged kids: Gizzy, Buddy, Magoo and Schnazelfrazel. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Gladys Pfeifle; his mother-in-law, Margaret Mans; and father-in-law, Sylvester “Wes” Mans.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 25 at English Lutheran Church, Tuttle. 

Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Eastgate Memorial Chapel, Steele. A prayer service will begin at 7 p.m. 

Burial will be held at Zion Langedahl Cemetery, Tuttle.