Karen A. Buchholz, 82, of Pullman, Washington, passed away April 13, 2026, at Pullman Regional Hospital.
Karen was born February 16, 1944, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Marvin and Helen (Strand) Ingman. She grew up in western North Dakota and graduated from Belfield High School. She received her bachelor’s degree at Concordia College in Moorehead, Minnesota. It was during this time Karen met Eugene Buchholz and the couple married in 1965.
Karen and Gene met the Bowman and Brandt families on their wonderful adventure to Alaska, where they all were going to teach school. The three families developed a lifelong relationship along the way. They also had treasured connections with many others there including both of the Swanson families and the educational and Lutheran church communities.
While in Sitka, Karen taught school for a number of years, was a homemaker, then became the campus IT supervisor for Sheldon Jackson College.
In 1996 Karen and Gene moved to the Seattle, Washington, area, and she began a career at the Port of Seattle. While there she thrived as the office manager and taught managerial skills. The National Management Association created the “Karen Buchholz Award” for her dedication and hard work.
She retired in 2011, and she and Gene took another adventure: touring the large beautiful country. While traveling, they looked to settle again and landed in Pullman, Washington.
Karen loved entertaining and was always the most gracious and wonderful host. She also enjoyed knitting, cooking, playing bridge, reading and – most of all – spending time and making donuts with all of her seven grandsons.
Karen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children Daniel Buchholz (Carolyn Stratton) of Pullman and Kit (Brian) Fox of Omaha, Nebraska; her brother, Harlan Ingman; seven grandchildren (Anthony, Paul, Aaron, Devin, Stephen, Caleb and James) and two great-grandchildren (Jesse and Ivan).
She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene in 2023 and a brother, Milan Ingman.
A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Corbeill Funeral Home, 905 S. Grand Ave., Pullman, Washington. Memorial donations are suggested to Sitka Lutheran Church.
Online condolences may be sent to www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com
