Bernard Elko "Buzz" Bulthuis

Bernard Elko Bulthuis, 93, affectionately known as "Buzz," devoted to family, faith, and fast pitches, passed away peacefully, reunited with the Lord, Friday, October 18th at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. His funeral will be 11:00 am, Monday, October 21st at First Reformed Church in Willmar with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Roseland Reformed Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion Post #167. Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity of West Central MN in honor of a life well-lived and well-loved. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Buzz was born July 24, 1931, to Elko and Johanna Bulthuis (née Ritsema) on the family farm north of Roseland. He was the sixth of seven children, one of whom was an infant sister who passed away shortly after birth. Buzz grew up in a household that was equal parts faith, hard work, and good humor-qualities that would serve as the pillars of his life.
He was a hard-working kid, helping on area farms as well as his own, one year taking a pig to the State Fair, as part of 4-H. Alongside his chores, Buzz participated in Boy Scouts, an additional foundation for his lifelong service to others. But it was on the softball diamond that young Buzz really shined, earning a reputation as a pitcher who could throw heat and lead his teams to state tournaments year after year. His fastball was the stuff of legend!
His humble charm began early too. When asked when he first laid eyes on his wife, Gert, Buzz would chuckle and say, "in the cradle." Though they had known each other their whole lives, Buzz credited repeating eighth grade as the key to their eventual romance, putting them in the same graduating class. After high school, their courtship blossomed, and while he was called to serve his country in the Korean War in 1952, Gert remained the one constant in his heart.
Buzz served with honor, attending basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, where his leadership was quickly recognized, earning him a promotion to Sergeant before his deployment to Korea in 1953. He returned home in 1954, ready to start the next chapter of his life with Gert. They were married December 17, 1954, at Roseland Reformed Church, the same church that had nurtured their faith from the beginning.
After returning from the war, Buzz worked a number of odd jobs, one day, while working a job bagging feed, a local car shop owner told him he needed a hand, and just like that, Buzz found his life's work. That little bit of serendipity eventually led to the ownership of West Central Wheel and Body in Willmar. Buzz would tell you it wasn't just good luck-it was a miraculous blessing from God.
As Buzz and Gert raised their children, they also helped build a spiritual community. They were among the founding members of Willmar First Reformed Church, where Buzz shared his unwavering faith and servant's heart his whole adult life. Whether he was delivering mail and assembling dialysis kits at Rice Memorial Hospital, driving area residents to medical appointments with CCT, or hammering nails for Habitat for Humanity, Buzz served quietly and humbly, always guided by the love of Jesus Christ. His faithful service in the Willmar community, as well as building projects around the country after natural disasters, and regularly donating blood to the Red Cross, have been an inspiration to his family and friends.
A man of many talents, Buzz also had a green thumb. His gardens-whether in Willmar or at his beloved Lake Andrew home near New London-overflowed with fruit and vegetables, which he happily shared with family, friends, and neighbors. He delighted in the beauty of God's creation, particularly the birds, he built and gave away many birdhouses, especially for his favorite guests, the Purple Martins. His favorite hymn, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," was more than a song-it was his life's refrain. "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free-For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me."
As much as Buzz loved his gardens, his true joy came from spending time with his family, especially at the lake. He reveled in taking his grandkids tubing, skiing, and fishing. Buzz and Gert also enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends, celebrating special occasions and taking every opportunity to stay close. In later years, Buzz continued to visit whenever given the chance, and also stayed in touch by phone with many friends and family. His care for others knew no bound.
He always enjoyed watching sports, particularly the opportunities to cheer-on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he never lived down his legendary fastball, returning to the sport later in life to pitch fast pitch softball. One "Oldtimers" hitter remarking, "I'd rather face Sandy Koufax."
Buzz Bulthuis leaves behind a legacy of faith, humble service, and love. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend to many. His warmth, humor, and steadfast belief in God touched everyone he met. His life was one of quiet grace, grounded in the certainty that, just as His eye is on the sparrow, God was always watching over him.
Buzz is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will miss him dearly but take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace with the Lord, reunited with the many loved ones who went before him.
Survived by his loving wife of almost 70 years, Gert, his sons and daughter, Randy (Dori) Bulthuis, Rick (Kris) Bulthuis and Renae (Danny) VanBuren; grandchildren: Melissa (Chad) Dahlberg, Jordan (Corina) Bulthuis, Heather (Adam) Ruplinger, Ashley (Kelly) Meslow, Janna (Brian) Punt, Derrick (Jessica) Bulthuis, Jory, Kaden, Trenton and Jaycie Bulthuis; great-grandchildren: Grace Dahlberg, Braden and Gavin Bulthuis, AJ Olson (fiancée, Jordan Hawkins), Carter and MacKenzie Ruplinger, Paisley, Jersey and Grey Meslow, Blake, Wyatt and Brooklyn Punt, and Maya, Brynli and Grayson Bulthuis. Also surviving are his sister, Jennie Mae Wubben and brother-in-law, George Poppen; sisters-in-law, Lois Grussing, and Verla (Jerry) Meyer, and brother-in-law, Carl (Joan) Veldhuizen, and many other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, son, Ross Jon Bulthuis; brothers, John, Claude and Henry, and sister, Emily Poppen, a sister in infancy, brothers-in-law, John (Joan) and Harvey (Ardys) Veldhuizen and brother-in-law, Norman Grussing.
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