Bruce Buchholz

Bruce Francis Buchholz, 65, of Pender, Nebraska died at the Pender Community Hospital on January 14th, 2024, due to heart complications. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bancroft, NE, with Pastor Henschen officiating. The visitation will be on Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE. Burial will be in the Bancroft Cemetery and followed by a luncheon at the church. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.  Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender. 

Bruce was born on May 30, 1958, in Pender to Francis H. and Phyllis A. (Hegwer) Buchholz. He was baptized and confirmed in Bancroft, NE. He graduated from Pender High School in 1977. He worked construction his entire life, working for Dale Brondum, Dan Cadwallader, and Jim Rutar. In his most recent years, he did construction jobs on his own.

Bruce loved the outdoors. He enjoyed deer hunting on the farm he grew up on outside of Pender and Bancroft. He also enjoyed pheasant hunting with his nephew’s chocolate lab, Tucker. He spent a lot of time with the guys at the meat locker in Thurston until it closed. 

Family was important to Bruce. He looked forward to spending time with his family over at the cabin in Decatur, where he relaxed by driving the golf cart on loops around the trailer hood. His great niece and great nephew considered Bruce a bonus grandpa. He made sure they always had the largest stuffed animals for gifts. Bruce held a wide collection of memorabilia from the casinos he visited while on trips to Las Vegas. He also enjoyed finding treasures at Thriftique, estate sales, and other auctions. He loved animals and enjoyed taking his nephew’s dogs for walks and feeding the neighborhood cats.

Bruce is survived by his mother, Phyllis Buchholz of Pender, NE; brother, Keith (Renee) Buchholz of Bancroft, NE; nephews, Josh (Kristine) Buchholz of Bancroft, NE, Kyle (Karlyn) Buchholz of Bancroft, and Tim (Sharalee) Buchholz of North Lawrence, OH; two great nieces, Clara Buchholz, Peyton Buchholz; one great nephew, Rory Buchholz.

Bruce is preceded in death by his father, Francis Buchholz; and brother, Ray Buchholz.