obit for Buchwitz

Justina Buchwitz, 93, Bismarck, passed away May 28, 2011, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Trinity Bethany Lutheran Church, Harvey. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hurdsfield.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Justina, the youngest of 15 children, was born Feb. 4, 1918, to William and Mary (Hofer) Kleinsasser at the family farm north of Chaseley. She attended the Chaseley country school through the eighth grade, Justina later lived in Hurdsfield working at the grocery store.

She married Fredrich C. Buchwitz on July 20, 1942 at Fessenden. They lived and farmed south of Chaseley until Fred's death in 1973. Justina then moved to Bowdon with her four youngest children living there until they moved to Bismarck in 1974. In addition to caring for her family, Justina also worked for the North Dakota State Tax Department and Albrecht's Frozen Foods.

Justina enjoyed raising and nurturing her family and numerous grandchildren. Her door was always open to family and friends for a cup of coffee, homemade goodies, and dinner in the oven. She loved to garden, tend her flowers, lawn and especially to snow blow her driveway and sidewalks – and the neighbor's. She did this until she suffered a stroke in August 2010.

This amazingly strong and energetic woman adored her family as we did her. After her stroke, her family lovingly cared for her in her home until her death.

Justina is survived by her 12 children (eight daughters and four sons), Ella (Don) Marks, Hepzibah, Ga., June (Ken) Thorstenson, Bismarck, Alice (Dennis) Faul, Harvey, Betty (the late Cecil) Kent, Grovetown, Ga., Joe (JoAnne) Buchwitz, Bismarck, Adeline (the late Marcel) Gierszewski, Bismarck, Larry (Dianne) Buchwitz, Grovetown, Ga., Thelma (Arlin) Meier, Benson, Ariz., Myra (the late Ron) Wallenvein, Bismarck, Marlys (Terry) Harrison, Bismarck, Gary (Marsha) Buchwitz, Mandan, and Fred Buchwitz, Bismarck; and numerous grandchildren, great-grand children and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; two sons, John and James; daughter, Lori Ann; her parents; 11 sisters; and three brothers.