LaRue M. Buchfink

LaRue (Bud) Buchfink of Fargo, formerly of rural Streeter, ND passed away 08/02/2019, in his home, surrounded by his loving family, and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. LaRue was born August 2, 1935 to Gottlieb and Christina (Iszler) Buchfink, in Graf Township, Kidder County, North Dakota. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Streeter, where from an early age he labored alongside his five sisters. During this time, LaRue formed a close relationship with his uncle Christ Buchfink of whom he spoke of often and with loving remembrance. He received his education in rural schools. In 1959, he and a friend operated a weekend roller skating business in Streeter. He used his income from roller skating to attend Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Fargo in 1959, where he studied welding and machining. After completing Hanson’s trade school, he worked in an iron ore mine near Ely, MN before enlisting in the U.S. Army in May of 1960. While LaRue was in the Army he attended welding and metal fabrication school in Aberdeen, Maryland, where he earned honors. In 1962 LaRue received an honorable discharge, and was very proud to serve his country. LaRue married Bettie (Schmidt) on August 13, 1960 in Ely, MN. After serving in the Army, they returned to the family farm near Streeter, where they farmed until 1971. While on the farm, prior to getting married, he built custom furniture for his mother, a beautiful metal-work corral fence, customized his Ford Model A, and helped his father and neighbors with equipment modification and welding repair. He enjoyed hunting and spending time with friends. LaRue designed and built a state-of-the-art custom dairy milking parlor. After leaving the farm in 1971, LaRue moved with his wife and their four children to Fargo. He worked for Larson Welding and Machine, Steiger Tractor, and Minn-Dak in Wahpeton as a welder. LaRue completely remodeled and updated the family home with his meticulous craftsmanship and creativity. In 1983, LaRue was severely injured in a fire. After a long recovery and inability to return to work, LaRue was for the rest of his life busy working on enumerable projects. He was a master craftsman with extraordinary patience and skill, a skilled welder, a creative metal fabricator, a master woodworker and an accomplished gardener. He was always helping family and friends with projects. He loved his family dearly and did countless things with and for them. In his basement workshop, he created hundreds of masterfully crafted furniture and decorative items. Most of his creations were shared with his beloved family and friends. One of his favorite endeavors was to work in his yard and garden beneath the summer sun and each fall preserve the produce. LaRue often commented that he found meticulously tending his garden therapeutic. Over the years, many passersby would stop and comment on his beautiful yard and garden. LaRue and his wife Bettie were members of the Catholic War Veterans, the Moose Lodge, and the Eagles Club. For years he was a regular blood donor. LaRue was an honest, sincere, and giving man who enjoyed a quiet but very productive and loving life. He was a loyal and supportive husband, a loving father, and a doting grandfather. He was the genuine friend and helpful neighbor. He loved getting together with his large extended family and friends for holidays and birthdays and he particularly enjoyed playing with his grandchildren at every opportunity. Throughout his life, he remained close to his five sisters and their families. He created special bonds with many of them. The nieces and nephews called him Uncle Buddy early on and he remains known that way to their children. LaRue was a remarkable man who was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by many. LaRue is survived by his wife, Bettie, who was his constant companion for 59 years, children James (Dawne) Buchfink, Fargo, ND, Jackie (Dan) Whiting, Bemidji, MN, JoAnn Sullivan, Fargo, ND, and Jay (Trudy) Buchfink, Glyndon, MN; 14 grandchildren, Derek (Nicole) Buchfink, David (Whitney) Buchfink, Sasha (Justin) Dimmer, Nichole (Derrick) Grenz, Cassandra Eckert (Eric Schultz), Michael (Solana) Sullivan, Elizabeth (Josh) Sullivan, Mandy (Matt) Cook, Joseph (Kumi) Flores, Christopher (Heather) Buchfink, Sean (Becca) Buchfink, Ryan (Lexi Johnson) Buchfink, Shelby Buchfink, Felicia (Cory) Fulton and 32 great grandchildren. Sisters; Elenora (Melvin) Jensen, Verna Eberhart, Violet Whalen, Naomi (Donald) Dixon, Jeraldine (David) Gallagher; Sister-in-laws; Ilene Schmidt, Luella Otterson, Marlys (Milton) Schmidt, Virginia Schmidt and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Families of the Heart: Tom Smith family and Connie Gjermundson family. LaRue is preceded in death by his parents Gottlieb and Christina Buchfink, Stepmother Emma Buchfink and in-laws Sam and Freida Schmidt.