In Memory of Leonard Buxkemper
8-29-1928 – 5-11-2015
Long-time Board Member and family advocate, Leonard Buxkemper, of Schulenburg, Texas, died on May 11, 2015. A celebration of his life was held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Weimar on May 15, 2015.
Leonard was the ninth child of a family of ten, born to Emil and Caroline (Gully) Buxkemper at Frelsburg. Following graduation from Columbus High School, he farmed briefly before entering the seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1954. He spent the major part of his priesthood at the Church of the Visitation in Westphalia, a community comprised of many of the Hoelscher-Buxkemper family. He received his dispensation from the priesthood from Rome in 1968.
Leonard married Juanita Beach Reichl and eventually they became owners of Hallmark Personnel of Texas, Inc. until retirement. Leonard and Juanita then traveled throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe (visiting the original Buxkemper homestead in Olfen, Germany) and the Holy Land. Settled into their home in Schulenburg, Leonard came out of retirement from 2003-2005 to develop the 911 Rural Addressing System in Colorado County.
He is survived by his wife, two step children, four step grandchildren, one great granddaughter, one sister, one brother-in-law along with thirty-nine nieces and nephews.
Leonard was always interested in our family heritage. He was the spiritual advisor for the family during his priesthood. Later, he and Juanita attended many reunions and board meetings over the years and chaired the 2012 family reunion in Columbus. He will be greatly missed by not only his immediate family, but the extended family of the Hoelscher-Buxkemper Family Heritage Association.
Memorial Service Requests
At the last tow reunions, a memorial service has been held at the general meeting. In order to do this, and to keep family records up-to-date, it is requested that names of family members who have died since the last reunion in 2014 be sent to Shirley Burk, Secretary-Treasurer, 4090 Mountain Laurel Loop, Temple, TX 76502. Please also include date and place of death, age at time of death, and family section if know (i.e. Elizabeth, Anton, Joe, William or Ben). As noted as below, information regarding deaths should be sent to Barbara Hoelscher.