"Janice......I was so sorry to hear of Al's passing. Al was a man of many jokes, always wanting to make everyone laugh. I know he loved his family very much and cherished his time with you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. Sending hugs your way."
In loving memory of
Al Buechler
June 20, 1940 - February 10, 2013
Al Buechler, age 72 of Monroe, died Sunday, February 10, 2013, at Skiff Hospice in Newton. The family will greet friends on Saturday, February 16, at 1:00 p.m. at the Monroe American Legion to celebrate Al's life. Memorials may be directed to the Monroe Fire Department or Animal Lifeline of Iowa. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.
The son of Peter and Elizabeth (Holzer) Buechler, Al was born on June 20, 1940, in Hague, North Dakota. He graduated from St. Aloysius School in North Dakota. On February 28, 1985, he was united in marriage to Janice Balmer at Elk Point, South Dakota. Al owned and operated lawn care, snow removal, sharpening and furniture upholstery businesses. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the past served on the Monroe City Council. Al was known for his compassion for his family and community members and his love of animals.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife Janice Balmer; a sister, Anna (Tomas) Santos of Cocoa Beach, Florida, a brother John (Alice) Buechler of Minot, North Dakota and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Preceding him in death were his parents, three sisters, Marianna Zacher, Elizabeth Scherr, and Clara Zahn; and three brothers, Ferdinand, Carl, and Martin Buechler.
Tributes
"So sorry to read of Al's passing. He helped many people and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bob and Eunice Keuning."
"Janice, so sorry to hear about Al's passing. He came to see us in Colfax a few months ago, brought us licorice, and told us of his diagnosis. Sorry you lost him early. Thinking of you, and the family. Susanne Landgrebe"
"Dear Aunt Janice, So sorry to hear of the loss of Uncle Al. He was a man of many jokes and we enjoyed them. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and for Uncle Al. Pete & Elaine Brendel"
"Janice, we were so sad to read of Al's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I remember Al always loved to laugh and he loved all your animals. I can still hear you calling him your "buuunnny". I plan to come to Al's celebration on Saturday. Love and hugs. "
"To the Buechler family I worked with Al at Iowa Methodist Medical Center for several years and it was always uplifting to see Al with his smile or his new joke to tell. We affectionately nicknamed him Oly because of his numerous Oly and Anna jokes. Iam very sorry for your loss and will always remember the cheerful times that Al brought to our department and to myself. "
"So sorry for your loss. Rest in peace uncle Al. Glad we spent time together last summer at the family reunion."
"Janice - so sorry for your loss. Uncle Al so enjoyed life - he definately lived life to the fullest. Anytime he came to visit (Strasburg) he always carried his coffee cup with him - coffee he said - I'm not so sure it was coffee! He was always making people laugh. I'll bet he's cracking the jokes up there as well. We'll miss him! Diane (Scherr) and James "
"unt Janice Our deepest sympathy to you for the loss of Uncle Al. He will be greatly missed by so many. He was a man who loved having a good time. He would talk about his many dear friends he loved spending time and a cold beer with. He loved his siblings, nieces and nephews but no one was more important in his life than you, Aunt Janice. He would tell me how lucky and Blessed he was to have you in his life. He was not a man at a loss for words. Maybe one time!!!! A few years ago the seven of us siblings took a trip to Iowa to see you and Uncle Al and we met at a restaurant for dinner with neither of you knowing who you were having dinner with until you walked into the restaurant and saw all of us standing there. He was at a loss for words, but only for a minute. Then the words started flying. How funny. I laugh every time I think about that evening we spent with the both of you. Great memories I will cherish forever. Our family gathering we had last summer was one I am so glad we had and we had it because Uncle Al wanted it so badly. It was so important to him to get family together that he wanted another one this summer. He will be with us in spirit, laughter, memories and we will all have a cold one for Uncle Al. We will Miss Uncle Al so very much. Our Thoughts and Prayers to you, Aunt Janice. Our Love Always Patti and Al"
"Aunt Janice I am so sorry for your loss. He will no longer have to suffer. I will miss seeing Uncle Al at the family get together. He was always a lot of fun. Hugs and Prayers Karen Buechler"
"Rest in peace Uncle Al. I'm glad that I got to see you again at the family reunion this past summer"
"Sorry for your loss. Rest in Peace Uncle Al! Say Hi to dad from me. Thoughts & Prayers are with the family. Love Brenda Buechler"
"Janice, so sorry to hear about Al's passing. What a nice photo you have posted. Take care, "
"Janice, we were so very sorry to hear of Al's sickness and death and we pray you will find comfort in your loss. Thinking of you often. "
"Dear Aunt Janice, I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Al was such a fun loving man. Anytime we had family get togethers he was always making everyone laugh. I am so glad we had time together last summer at the family reunion. I am so going to miss his phone calls. We have to take comfort in the fact that he does not have to suffer any more. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marlene"
"Dear Jan, We know how difficult this is for you right now and we want you to know that you are in our prayers. You and Al were great neighbors (in Missouri) and we're so glad to have your friendship all of these years. Al was a good man and so great about making the phone calls, sharing his humor and stories. He fought a good fight and will truly be missed. We wish we could physically be there for you but know that you are in our hearts and prayers. "
"Hi Janice, I was so saddened to hear about your loss with Al's passing. Although I didn't know Al, he must have been extra special because his wife certainly is. We will be out of town on Sat. so I will not be able to come to the memorial. Please consider yourself hugged and loved! My prayers and thoughts are with you! Carol Hopkey"
"Dear Janice and family - Al will be missed by his many friends. Al was a good man and he helped many. I don't know what I would have done without him in July when I was trying to get Sandy's benefit going. He was just that kind of caring guy. We will miss him greatly; his smile and of course all of his jokes! Thanks for everything Al, our friend. You were one of a kind! Sincerely, Belinda Stier Sandy Mead"
"Dear Janice, I will miss Al. He always added humor to the family get-togethers. I'm glad I was able to visit with him at the 4th of July get-together in 2011 and often by telephone. I will continue to think of him often -- Al, have fun with the rest of your family now. Tell my Mom and Dad hello and that I miss them. Love, Charlene"
"Uncle Al Free of all pain, we will miss you terribly, and Aunt Janice, our hearts and sympathy go out to you. may you find comfort in the love of family. Betty & Dennis Haaland"
"I didn't personally know Mr. Buechler but my heart went out to his family when I saw his obituary. It is so hard to lose a loved one, I have been there before too. I wanted to share a comforting thought from the bible that got me through. Revelation 21:4 says, "And He will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." I hope this thought can bring you comfort during this difficult time. Please accept my deepest sympathies. "
"Uncle Al, May you rest in peace. I am going to cherish the time weve spent together, forever. I really enjoyed you coming up for the family reunion in the summer. We sat on the deck and drank beer together. Thanks for doing that with me. I wish I couldve came to see you in March, but im glad your out of pain. Say hi to my dad and brother from me. Love and miss you- Carl Jr."
"Dear Janice and family, Tom and I were so sorry to hear of Al's passing and your loss. It is such a difficult time and our thoughts and prayers are with you. I remember Al as an animal lover and having a good sense of humor. So sorry.
Tom and Jan Stevenson"
"Al was such a comfort in my first job as a evening nurse at Park Center. He would accompany me to supper every night and make sure I made it to my car in the dark. A few years later when my husband needed some lawn care done I knew who to call! We again crossed paths when I started working at Skiff and I worked with Janice. Al always had a smile on his face and a positive outlook despite what he was facing! Janice and family you will be in my thoughts and prayers!"