Patrick Edward Buchberger

Patrick E. Buchberger, 89, Mosinee, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, at Copperleaf of Marathon, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services. He was the son of the late Edward and Mary (Volhard) Buchberger of Marathon.

Pat attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Marathon High School, graduating in 1952. He then went on to college, at what is now, UW Stevens Point. He entered the U.S. Army in 1954, and upon his discharge in 1956, he returned to college to finish his degree. He graduated in 1959 and became a social studies teacher and later, the department head at Mosinee High School where he also became the boys’ head basketball coach and later, golf coach. He retired from teaching in 1991.

On Dec. 28, 1968, he married Bernadine “Bonnie” Ulrich at St. Paul Catholic Church in Mosinee. Together they traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. They also enjoyed many cruises after retirement.

Participating in sports was always a big part of Pat’s life. Besides coaching duties, he also was a WIAA official for football and basketball. While in college he played on the Pointer basketball team. In 2017, he was inducted into the Mosinee High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his successful coaching career, and in 2019, he was inducted into the Marathon High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his outstanding basketball skills while in high school. He was the first player there to score over 1100 points during his high school career (When there were no 3 pointers) and is in the Hall of Fame in Wisconsin Dells for that. Besides basketball, Pat enjoyed playing baseball and softball in his younger years. He also enjoyed playing golf, pheasant hunting, deer hunting, trout fishing, and his annual Canadian fly-in fishing trips.

Pat was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Mosinee and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and the American Legion, both in Marathon.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two brothers, Claude (Margaret) Buchberger, and Edward (Roseanne) Buchberger, both of Marathon; a sister, Diane Hoblitzel, Milwaukee; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Elaine Peterson, and Jean Luedtke.

 Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee. The Rev. Aaron Becker will officiate. Burial will be at St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee. Visitation will be from 8:30 am until the time of services all at the church. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com

The family would like to thank Copperleaf Assisted Living, Marathon, and Aspirus Hospice Services, for their kind and compassionate care of Patrick, during this difficult time.