Ralph Buchholz

Ralph Buchholz, 91, of Lehr, ND, passed away May 24, 2025, at the Gackle Care Center. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 11:00 am at Lehr Community Church. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 6:00 - 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at Feist Funeral Home, Wishek. Burial will take place at the Lehr Cemetery.
Ralph was born to Emanuel and Lydia (Schweigert) Buchholz on March 2, 1934, on their family farm northeast of Lehr in Logan County. He had two sisters and five brothers. Growing up he attended country school through the 7th grade. At the age of 13 he was Alvin Goebel's jockey with one of the racetracks being at Fessenden, ND; was paid $80.00 a month. He did this for three years and then started to ride horses for other people for $20.00 a horse. In three days, he rode 18 horses – had 16 firsts and 2 seconds. On May 8, 1955, Ralph married Arlene Entzi. Ralph and Arlene moved to the Calvin Schnabel farm for one year and then bought the Kauk farm where they resided. Ralph helped area farmers, while raising cattle and grain. In 1957 Ralph broke 50 horses and earned enough money to make three payments on the land. In 1958 he started horse racing in Canada and trained many racehorses for people. In 1958 he bought his first racehorse for $100.00, Jim Dee a 2 year old thoroughbred. There was one day left of racing in Fessenden, ND when he had purchased Jim Dee; he entered Jim Dee in a race against older horses and won.
Ralph was a member of the North Dakota Thoroughbred Association for many years. Another highlight of his victorious racing career is winning the Winnipeg Futurity with Patty Kim. Ralph went to Canada usually from April to October. His last year of racing in Canada was 2009. He continued being the owner and trainer of racehorses in North Dakota retiring with his last racehorse Dakota Girl.
Ralph's passion for horse racing was known to many people as well as his love for his grandchildren. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and any conversation he had with people was either about horse racing and/or his grandchildren. He was a very proud grandpa. He always enjoyed watching their sporting events and was their #1 fan in anything his grandchildren did.
Ralph was admitted to the Gackle Care Center, April 14, 2025.
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Arlene (August 29, 2017), parents, siblings Leo, Lawrence, Jerry, Darrel, sister and brother-in-law Linda and Kenny Klettke, brother-in-law Elroy Entzi and Bert Oberlander, son-in-law Steve Weispfenning, and daughter-in-law Carleen Buchholz.
Ralph is survived by his children Patty Weispfenning, Fredonia, ND, Terry (John) Schock, Jamestown, ND, Bobby (Sabrina) Buchholz, Lehr, ND, and Billy (Kari) Buchholz, Fredonia, ND.; 5 grandchildren, Stacey (David) Herrmann, Kulm, ND, Stephanie (Al) Roehrich, Fargo, ND, Brooke (Jayden) Gross, Wishek, ND, Ty Buchholz, Fredonia, ND and Levi Buchholz, Fredonia, ND, 2 greatgrandchildren McKenzie Herrmann, Fargo ND and Dawson Herrmann, Kulm, ND, step grandchildren Brandy (Tim) Liney, Jacksonville Beach, FL, Trevor Goldade, Brighton, CO, step greatgrandchildren; Harrison Liney, and Charlotte Liney, sister, Betty Hjelmhaugh; brother Rodney (Ardella) Buchholz; sisters-in-laws, Prudi Buchholz, Shirley Buchholz, Marlene Buchholz, Violet Buchholz, Evelyn Entzi, and JoeAnne Oberlander; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the Gackle Care Center staff for the excellent care provided to Ralph, he mentioned numerous times how well he was taken care of and everybody was very nice and caring.