Norm Buckholtz

NORM BUCKHOLTZ

Iowa City

Norm Lee Buckholtz passed away peacefully at Briarwood Healthcare Center on Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, one day before his 83rd birthday. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Lensing Funeral and

Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Ave, Iowa City. Burial will be at Floral Hills in Hazleton, Iowa, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Sweet Adelines Inc.,

Iowa City Hospice or a charity of choice

Norman Lee Buckholtz, the son of Walter and Eleanore Reed Buckholtz, was born Aug. 12, 1931, in North Tonawanda, N.Y. His parents, originally of Oelwein, moved back to

Iowa in 1947. The family lived briefly in the Maynard area, before returning to Oelwein. Norm attended school in Maynard during his sophomore year and graduated from Oelwein High School in 1949. He served on the USS Van Valkenberg (DD-656) and USS Charles P. Cecil (DD-835) as a radarman third class, from 1952 to 1956.

Norm married Janice Gail Campbell on Sept. 26, 1953. She remained with her parents while he was on sea duty, before joining him in Norfolk, Va. They returned to Oelwein after his discharge. In 1956, daughter, Kathy Faye was born, followed by Elena Faith in 1959.

Norm spent one year working as an electrician's assistant but found his true calling in groceries, first at Pure Food Grocery in Oelwein and then with Fareway Stores in Oelwein, Ottumwa and Grinnell. He was named a grocery manager in 1973 and retired from Fareway in 1993, after 35 years of dedicated service to the company. He and his wife moved to Iowa City in 1999.

Music was an important part of Norm's life. He loved the Statler Brothers and the Gaithers. He was a loyal supporter of Sweet Adelines Inc. The pride of seeing his wife and daughter, Kathy, onstage, as well as the ringing barbershop chords, moved Norm to tears on many occasions.

A little known fact to anyone outside the family is that Norm was an excellent harmonica player. He played for hours at a time, often in the bathroom where he found the acoustics were best. He walked and rode his bicycle every day that weather allowed. In retirement, he also learned how to do counted cross-stitch. He stitched gifts for each of his grandchildren and also executed two beautiful pieces that are a part of the home decor. He was a true Minnesota Vikings fan and loved the Iowa State Fair. He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Methodist church.

He is survived by his wife, Janice; sister, Cherril Harrison (Larry) of Springfield, Ore.; daughter, Elena Walker (David Brus) of Minneapolis, Minn.; son-in-law, Michael Martin of Rahway, N.J.; grandson, Geoffrey Martin of Brooklyn, N.Y.; granddaughter, Stephanie Martin of Rahway, N.J.; and grandson, Alexander Martin of Boston, Mass.; sisters-in-law, Faye Iverson of Cedar Rapids, Carol Damon (Arne Grimson) of Waterloo and Judy Pritchard (Lyle) of McGregor; brothers-in-law, Larry Harrison (Cherrill) of Springfield, Ore., James Campbell (Jane) of Oelwein and Arcadia, Fla., and Steven Campbell (Helen) of Cedar Rapids; cousins, Carol Buttgen (Bill) and Linda Slattenow (Percy) of Waterloo, Marlene Stafford (Roy) of Vernon Texas, Eleanor Corcoran of Hazleton, Dolores Edwards of Clinton, Darryl Blech (Rae) of Rotonda, Fla., Walter Schwartz of Westgate and Beverly Gaul of Ethel, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kathy; niece, Jannes Lynne Snow; and brothers-in-law, Dean Iverson, George Damon and Jerry Campbell.

The family expresses appreciation for the care provided by the staff of Briarwood and Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at

www.lensingfuneral.com.