Gerhardt Hans Buchholz
March 1, 1926 - May 23, 2007

Gerhardt "Jerry" Hans Buchholz was a strong, cheerful man who made life good for those around him. In his lifetime, he experienced wealth and adversity, struggles and joys, all of which made him the man his family loved and his friends admired. He touched everyone he met with a smile and a joke, endearing him to many who say of Jerry, "You couldn't find a better man."

Gerhardt was born to Gustav and Emma (Elisat) Buchholz on March 1, 1926 in Hochmanshoff, Germany. The town was located geographically in what would later become East Germany. Gerhardt was the oldest of six children growing up on a large estate and living in a mansion. The family's wealth came from the success of the Buchholz and Elisat farms, which Gustav and Emma both inherited as the oldest children in their families. When they married, the two farms, along with another farm Gustav had purchased, became part of the Buchholz estate and contributed to the good life the children enjoyed. By the standards of the day, the Buchholz' were very wealthy because they owned a car - and a washing machine - which was nearly unheard of at the time. Yet, as much as young Gerhardt benefited from the success of the farms, he was determined not to become a farmer. His father must have noted his resolve, because he fully supported Gerhardt's educational pursuits and sent him away to the finest schools in Germany. When Gerhardt returned home each vacation period, he worked very hard on the farm. In this way, he showed how much he valued his education and the commitment of his father to give him the best.

The fortunes of family and farm took a drastic turn during World War II. Gerhardt, his brother Werner, and their father were all drafted into the German military. And when the Russians invaded Germany, Gerhardt's mother and the younger children, aged 9, 11, and 13, fled the farm. They traveled north through Poland, and tragically, his mother died that winter. After the war, Gerhardt's father was able to reunite with his children, but the farm was lost forever.

During the war, Gerhardt had served in the German Navy. He was wounded while riding a train the Russians had over taken, and Allied Forces bombed the train. Gerhardt, however, considered this event as a turning point in his life and often spoke of the British having saved his life. He was sent to work on a farm in the Northern Zone, which was under British control. He joined a police academy and was trained by British and American forces to be a policeman. This set a course for Gerhardt's future in law enforcement.

An even greater joy was born out of the tragedy of war when Gerhardt met the woman who would become his wife. Stephanie Weber, of German descent, was born in the Ukraine and spent two years working in a Russian prison camp. There, she contracted malaria, yellow fever and diphtheria and was to be sent to a quarantine camp. But the camp was full, and fatefully, Stephanie was sent to a hospital where she was able to get in touch with her family in West Germany. When she was finally released from hospital, she weighed just 66 pounds. Stephanie, too, was saved for a brighter future.

When a girlfriend asked Stephanie to go with her to meet her boyfriend, Stephanie met a tall, handsome man in a police uniform who had also come with his friend. From the moment Gerhardt and Stephanie laid eyes on one another, it was love at first sight. Their lives and their stories came together to form a bond that united them for life. But, they had to wait four years to get married, because policemen were not allowed to marry before the age of 26. In the mean time, Stephanie worked in a shoe factory. What a long-awaited, glorious day it was when they made their vows on December 22, 1951 in a Lutheran church in Itzeho, Germany!

Gerhardt and Stephanie began their family the following year with the birth of their son Peter in 1952, the same year Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president of the United States of America. This was especially significant to Germans like Gerhardt and Stephanie since President Eisenhower was also of German descent and had seen the suffering of Germans during World War II. After the war, Eisenhower opened America to immigrants and Gerhardt registered to come to this land. Stephanie was not as sure as her husband, but Gerhardt had always dreamed of America from the time he had begun reading all the books about America that filled the bookmobile that came through his neighborhood. He finally convinced Stephanie that their children would have a better future in a new land. They waited three years, and in 1956, they came with 1500 other immigrants on the General Langford, a former military cargo ship. Like others, Gerhardt fell to his knees in gratitude when they arrived in New York.

Gerhardt, now "Jerry" in America, did not have such a great first experience when he arrived with his family. One man told him they needed to buy a special band for $20 if they wanted to bring their suitcases. They were only allowed a total of 40 pounds in their luggage. However, brighter times were ahead when Immanuel Lutheran Church sponsored the family to come to Muskegon. The church members promised their support to set up the family's household and to help Jerry find work. Though he had 10 years experience in law enforcement, he found he had to wait five years before he could apply to join a police force in the U.S. He started work right away with Henry Henriksen, a member of Immanuel, who owned Baker Auto Glass, because he had to support his growing family. In 1959, Jerry and Stephanie welcomed their son, Claus, into their lives and, in 1960, their lovely daughter, Anette, was born. Though life in America began with 40 pounds of possessions, Jerry's life with family made him a wealthy man.

In 1966, Jerry moved the family to Roanoke, Virginia, to work for Shatterproof Glass, but they missed Muskegon and came back. Once again, Jerry went to work for Baker Auto Glass and then on to Sherwin Williams. At one point, he met John Seven who owned Seven's Paint and Wallpaper and asked, "Do you need a good man?" Mr. Seven did, and Jerry ended up managing his Muskegon store for 20 years. The store became so successful, that Mr. Seven told Jerry "You can go golfing whenever you want." That was music to Jerry's ears, because golf was his passion. Plus, he was good at the game. Whether good or lucky, Jerry had the distinction of sinking five holes-in-one during his lifetime. Jerry was diligent in work and play as evidenced by the fact that he was the President of the General Contractors Association for over 20 years and a member of Lincoln Golf Club. Jerry passed on his love of golf to his son, Peter, and to Peter's two sons. Better than a golf legacy, Jerry left his children and grandchild with an image of fun and faithfulness.

In 1971, Jerry and Stephanie bought their home on Leif and never moved. It became the family home with an in-ground pool for everyone to enjoy. These family pleasures were made all the sweeter since Jerry and Stephanie had started with little and sacrificed to give their family the best. They often went without so the kids could have what they needed. Jerry's children knew they were loved.

In 1988, Jerry "retired" but took up painting and wallpapering to keep busy. He and his work gained a great reputation. Nearly everyone in town knew of him. Still, he was sure to get his golf games in. He played every day except Tuesday, because that was Ladies' Day. So regular was his golf routine that, in 1996 when he was scheduled to have heart surgery, Jerry told the doctors that Tuesday would work best. He was such a presence at the golf club that he became the "Norm" of the clubhouse, where everybody knew his name and he always had a joke for everyone. Jerry was well-known wherever he went because he not only made his daily rounds to the 7-Eleven, Menard's, Sam's Club and then Aldi's Grocery Store, he also stopped at each place for a chat and laugh.

Two years ago when Jerry was diagnosed with cancer, he managed really well. But when his condition worsened in the fall of 2006, he could no longer keep to his "route" and that was hardest of all. He missed his friends who, along with his beloved family, now miss him and cherish him deep in their hearts forever.

Mr. Gerhardt "Jerry" H. Buchholz, age 81 of Norton Shores, died Wednesday, May 23, 2007. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Stephanie; 2 sons, Peter (Carol Sue) Buchholz of Spring Lake, Claus (Janet) Buchholz of Haslett; daughter, Anette (Mark Sheneman) Buchholz of Muskegon; 4 grandchildren, Shawn (Emily Fiori) Buchholz of Twin Lake, Geoffrey Buchholz of Spring Lake, Sarah Buchholz of Haslett and Nikolaus Buchholz of Haslett; 2 sisters, Ilse (Fred) Maleyka of Miesbach, Germany, Christa Sarzier of Paris, France; 2 brothers, Heinz (Ute) Buchholz of Hamburg, Germany, Rudolf (Dagmar) Buchholz of Hamburg, Germany. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Werner Buchholz. A service to celebrate Jerry's life will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2007, 11:00 AM at Clock Chapel with Rev. Sarah Samuelson officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, 5-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the American Cancer Society or Harbor Hospice. You may leave a memory or sign the online guest book at www.lifestorynet.com Clock Life Story - Muskegon.

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