Gordon Buchholz, 98, of Columbus, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at his home in Columbus.

The funeral service will be on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 10:30 AM, at Gass Haney Funeral Home with Rev. Brandon Foster officiating. Interment with military honors by The American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard, will be in Columbus Cemetery. The visitation will be on Friday from 9:30 AM until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church, Columbus Hospital Hospice, or Columbus Volunteer Fire Department.

Gordon was born on August 28, 1924, in Bancroft, Nebraska, to Gottlieb and Leona (Kreuger) Buchholz. He attended grade school in Bancroft and Lyons, Nebraska. Gordon graduated from Oakland High School in 1942. He began his long career with Consumers Public Power in August 1942 as an Apprentice Lineman. Gordon joined the United States Navy on December 14, 1942, and was honorably discharged in February 16, 1946, serving during World War II. Gordon rejoined Consumers in 1946 and transferred to Columbus as Line Foreman with Loup Public Power in 1952. He retired as Operations Manager in September of 1989 after 47 years with the company.

Gordon was united in marriage to Betty Bowen in Oakland on January 20, 1947. They were married for 56 years. They were blessed with three daughters, Jean, Mary and Sara.

Gordon was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served as an usher for many years. He was a life member of the VFW and American Legion. He served as Columbus City Electrical Inspector for 15 years. Gordon was a 25-year member of the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department and received awards from the Eagles, Ak-Sar-Ben and Knights of Columbus for his years of service and was recently honored for 50 years as a member of the American Legion. Gordon served on the Columbus Park Board for 16 years and was a charter member of the Columbus Kiwanis. At that time the Club was instrumental in the refurbishing of Camp Pawnee. He also served on the Board of Northeast Community College in Norfolk and helped to set the criteria for their Lineman's School.

Gordon loved playing cards, taking care of his yard, and really loved going to all the sporting events his grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved in. He really enjoyed playing golf with his golfing buddies and his sons-in-law and grandsons. Gordon had a standing Tuesday foursome with his golf buddies to travel out of town to play a different golf course. In 1990 his good friend, Dick Frye, got him started collecting logo golf balls. They were all displayed in racks on the basement walls, and all cataloged in books. At last count there were approximately 9,000 logo golfs from family, friends, and people who knew about his collection bringing him golf balls from their trips, some from all over the world.

Gordon is survived by:
Daughter - Jean Karnik of Columbus, NE
Daughter - Mary Valentine of Overland Park, KS
Daughter - Sara (Roger) Geistlinger of Crete, NE
Grandchildren - Sarah (Mark) Henning of Lincoln, NE; Luke Geistlinger of Crete, NE; and Matt (Leah) Valentine of Westminster, CO
Great grandchildren - Alex (Fiancée Emily Dennis) Henning, Morgan Henning and Colby Schumecker all of Lincoln, NE; Mira, Langston, Sawyer and Tucker Valentine of Westminster, CO
Niece - Pam (Marv) Kieckhafer of Yankton, SD
Nephew - Tim (Donna) Colson of West Point, NE

Gordon was preceded in death by:
Parents – Gottlieb and Leona Buchholz
Wife - Betty Buchholz (2003)
Son-in-law - Joe Karnik
Granddaughter - Jennifer Karnik
Sister and brother-in-law - Delores (Gene) Colson
Niece - Cynthia Greeny

Service Folder Information
For Those I Love
For Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, let me go…
I have so many things to see and do,

You must not tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love. You can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have showed.
But now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while we must part,
So bless the memories that lie within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me call and I will come…
Tho you can't see me or touch me,
I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart
you will hear,
All of my love around you soft and clear.

And then when you come this way alone…
I'll greet you with a smile and say
"Welcome Home".




In Loving Memory Of

Gordon G. Buchholz

Born
Thursday, August 28, 1924
Bancroft, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Friday, March 10, 2023 10:30 AM
Gass Haney Funeral Home
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Brandon Foster

Music
Ann Cattau
"Lift High The Cross"
"On Eagle's Wings"

Casket Bearers
Roger Geistlinger
Luke Geistlinger
Alex Henning
Mark Henning
Morgan Henning
Colby Schumecker

Interment
Columbus Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska

Military Honors
The American Legion, Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard