Elmer Buchner

Elmer Donald Buchner, age 84, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Maplewood in Bloomer. He was born on May 8, 1928 in Colfax, to Carl “Jake” and Florence (Lueck) Buchner. He was the youngest of four brothers. The family moved to the Bob Lake area in 1929, and from there to the Town of Cleveland where Elmer grew up and attended Point View Elementary School and the Bloomer High School. While attending high school, he lived with the Ruth and Julius Meisner family, working at their restaurant, “The Coffee Cup”. He loved his work there, despite having to get up early and spend a couple of hours working before school started, working over his noon hour, after school and weekends. He spent most of his earnings going to the movie theatre, which cost 35 cents and hamburgers 10 cents. He saved enough money to buy a bicycle so he wouldn’t have to spend so much time walking to work. Elmer was the first in his family to graduate from high school. While there, he played on the football team.

Elmer and his brothers loved to dance. It was not uncommon for the boys and their dates to cram into one car and head to the Pines Ballroom or the Pike Lake Ballroom. He met a beautiful young woman at Pike Lake one Saturday night and he married her! Her name was Camilla Ann Popelka. They married on May 28, 1949 and together they had three children. Elmer was a hard working farmer until his retirement in 1991, when he sold his farm and moved to Bloomer. His favorite past times were ice fishing and playing cards. His competitive nature made him quite a card shark, and he loved to win!

Elmer’s wife preceded him in death in 1989. He was also preceded in death by his daughter: Carolyn Ojibway-Wold in 2002, a sadness he could hardly bear. Others who passed before him were his parents and two brothers: Arnold and Herbert Buchner, and son-in-law: Michael Ojibway.

He is survived by his devoted son: Thomas Buchner; daughter: Diann (Kirby) Schnoor; brother: Wallace (Marie) Buchner; sister-in-law: Aline Buchner; son-in-law: Larry Wold; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Jeff (Michelle) Ojibway and son: Damon Bunch, Mark (AmyJo) Ojibway, Jason (Allison) Schnoor and their sons: Meyer and Parker, Lacey (Ben) Ott and their daughter: Linden.

Elmer was an extremely hard working and honest man, but he also loved to have fun with his family and friends. He greeted you with a big smile and was genuinely interested in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Elmer was a loving and kind man with a strong work ethic which he passed down to his children. He will be missed dearly.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday February 9, 2013 at 2:00 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bloomer with Pastor James Strand officiating. There will be a visitation from 11:30 until 2:00 PM on Saturday at the church. Olson Funeral Home is assisting the family.