Martin A. Buchli

Martin A. Buchli, 96, died Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula of natural causes. He was born Feb. 22, 1919, to Christian and Lilian (Olson) Buchli in New Rockford, North Dakota, the youngest of six children. Martin graduated from New Rockford Central High School in 1937.

While in school, he began dating Virginia Williams, also of New Rockford. They were married Aug. 21, 1941, at the Methodist Parsonage. Martin enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed at Sheppard Field, Texas. After his discharge in 1943, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ASCS county office in New Rockford, and later transferred to the federal offices in Fargo, North Dakota. Following retirement, he and Virginia spent their summers at their lake home in Minnesota and winters in Sun Lakes, Arizona. They moved to Missoula in 2008 and to The Springs at Missoula in 2014.

Martin was a lifelong member of the Congregational church and was a founding member of the Sun Lakes Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. He served as the Sun Lakes Chapter president of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He was an avid golfer and an excellent bridge player.

Survivors include his wife of over 74 years, Virginia, and their three children, Jerry (Vickie) of Devils Lake, North Dakota; Jim (Jean) of Pensacola, Florida; and Meredith (Dean) Hoistad of Missoula. He is survived by five grandchildren, Jim (Denise), Jennifer (Anthony) Vareha, Scoff (Marie), Chris (Kim) and Michael; and five great-grandchildren, Haley, Alexis, Christian, Beau and William. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Elmer, William, Leonard and John; and sister Mary.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at The Springs of Missoula, 3710 American Way. Arrangements are through Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials may be sent in Martin's name to the charity of donor's choice.


Read Martin Buchli's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.