Miriam J. Buchholtz's Obituary
Miriam was born on February 22, 1929 in Tacoma, WA and gratefully received by parents John Alfred and Mabel (Stenso) Hansen. Sister Shirley joined the family 2 1/2 years later. The family was active in First Presbyterian Church, Tacoma where her father was an elder.
She attended Jason Lee Junior High and graduated from Stadium High School (’47) and Whitworth College (’52). While in high school she was active in Christian Endeavor Youth Group and Young Life at First Presbyterian. She was very social and loved having fun and bringing friends from school to youth group.
Miriam met Neil at Whitworth. They were in choir and worked together in the cafeteria (where legend has it that to get his attention she tripped him while he was carrying trays). She was very active in college: senior class secretary, varsity tennis, varsity basketball, yell leader, and ski club. She was nominated to be on the Snow Queen Court in her senior year.
She graduated with a teaching degree and married Neil the month they graduated in 1952. She taught school at different levels (sixth grade, PE, kindergarten). Cynthia was born in 1953, Jennifer came 2-1/2 years later, then Jon about 3 years after that. Neil worked mostly for Carnation Company which moved the family from Tacoma to Mountlake Terrace to Portland, then they settled in Kent. Miriam took up different jobs after the kids were in school. She worked in accounting at Tacoma Boat and drove a school bus for special needs students.
Miriam was widowed in 1990, when Neil, the love of her life, passed away from cancer. She is survived by her 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, her sister Shirley Brown….and many friends.
Remembrances may be made to Camp McCullough-First Pres. Church Tacoma or the American Diabetes Association.
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