Carl R. Buechler, 89, rural Sawyer, ND, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2009, at his home with his loving family by his side.

Carl was born in Willis Township of Ward County, southeast of Minot, to Jacob G. and Pauline (Mautz) Buechler on March 8, 1920. Following the death of his mother in 1923, Carl and his sister, Bertha, were raised on a farm north of Lake Audubon near Coleharbor by their grandmother, Sophia Mautz. Carl attended Snow Township School until seventh grade when he returned to Willis Township to reside with his father and step-mother, Emma. He finished his formal education by completing his freshman year of high school at Willis Township School and was confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church of rural Sawyer.

At the age of seventeen, Carl joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) working on various construction jobs around the area for a year. Following his work with the CCC, he owned and operated a horse ranch located west of Carpio for a time. In addition to the operation of the ranch, he competed in many rodeos across the state in the bare-back riding division.

Later, Carl held other occupations which included operating a sheep shearing business, where he raised 300 ewes a year, working at Liaison Underground Coal Mine and with the Great Northern Railroad as a fireman on the number two train.

It was during his time as a fireman that Carl decided to farm and ranch full-time. At the age of 27, he returned to his love by settling on a farm located in Newman Township of Ward County. Carl was united in marriage to Lorraine on November 26, 1952 in Sidney, MT. This union was blessed with one child, Paulette.

In addition to his farm operation, Carl spent countless hours at the livestock auction, where he would become known as "Iron Duke." In 1961, he obtained the rating of grade "A" dairy producer for Bridgeman Creameries of Minot, milking one hundred Holsteins at the time, growing to a herd of 225. He continued at this pace for the next thirty-five years. Lorraine passed away on July 14, 1993.

In addition to his work, Carl did manage to participate in many trail rides on many of his buckskin horses that he owned during his lifetime. Another joy to Carl was participating in the annual skiing trip to Big Mountain in Whitefish, MT, skiing until the age of 79 with his family. He retired from farming and ranching in 1995.

Surviving family includes: Daughter, Paulette (Robin) Zietz, Sawyer, ND; Grandchildren: Cody (Nichole) Zietz, Spokane Valley, WA and Paige Zietz, Sawyer, ND; Sister: Bertha (Eldein) Haugen, Mesa, AZ; Step-brother: Norman (Janice) Stark, Rapid City, SD; Nieces: Lorri (J.R. and Austyn) Lund, Sawyer, ND, Carolyn Schoenwald (Mike and Stephine), Madison, WI; Heidi (Eric, Sydeny, Jace and Josh) Severson, Mandan, ND; Destynie Kennedy (Tyler and Darrin) Boise, ID, Peggy Buechler, Minot and Jessika (Nick) Borelli, Japan, CA; Nephews: Terry (Catherine and Abgail) Van Alstyne, Morchoft, WY, Robert "Jerry" (Misty) Dietrich, Minot, ND, Carl (Gail, Nate, Carl, and Mike Van Alstyne, Everett, WA, Robert Schoenwald, Madison, WI, Richard (Chrisy and Carl) Buechler, Minot, ND and Brian (Rachelle, Parker, and Mckenzie) Lund, Fargo, ND.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, wife, step-mother, Emma, mother and father-in-law, Mike and Polly, sisters-in-law, Eleanor Darnell and Evelyn Van Alstyne, brother-in-law, Robert Lee Buechler and niece, Cathline Ohly.

Funeral: Friday, March 20, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Public Family Service: Thursday, March 19, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, ND in spring 2009.
Visitation: Thursday, March 19, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.