Margaret "Marge" A. Bucholtz

Marge passed away the morning of January 5 at the age of 971/2. Some may say living nearly a century is long enough, but those who loved her and knew her well, would disagree.

Marge was born in Brookfield, Illinois on June 10, 1923, to parents Joseph and Lydia Hevrdejs, both of whom emigrated from Czechoslovakia to the U.S. as children. Joseph and Lydia had two sons; the late Frank and James Hevrdejs, and three daughters; Margaret and the late Lydia and Geraldine. Like many families of that time, Marge’s family struggled through the depression and later waited anxiously for James and Frank to return from service during WWII. After Marge’s father passed away, she and her siblings all worked to support the family home.

After graduating from Riverside-Brookfield High School, Marge worked at Electro-Motive in LaGrange.  After returning from WWII, her brothers also worked at Electro-Motive, as did Al Bucholtz, who, after appropriate “screening” by Marge’s brothers, met and fell in love with Marge...and she with him. They married in 1948 and began a love story that saw them celebrate their 71st anniversary prior to Al’s passing in October of 2019.

They resided in Forest Park, Illinois in Al’s family home and raised two children, Kathleen and Kenneth. It was not a glamorous life, but it was very full. Marge and Al were very involved with family, friends and activities at St. John Lutheran Church and school, Walther Lutheran High, and the Forest Park community. Golf, bowling, bridge, church and school activities, and volunteering were part of her life. Family gatherings were a given.

It was not in Marge’s nature to draw attention to herself or boast, yet it deserves to be mentioned that she had many noteworthy talents. She was an excellent golfer, playing into her 80’s, and often at the top of her bowling leagues. She continued to play cards with her Brookdale friends up until the end. She was a better artist than she let on, pencil sketches, watercolors, and other forms of craft were among her specialties. She was also an excellent seamstress and her apple pies were infamous.  In later years, she studied calligraphy. She was an excellent writer from an era when the hand-written letter was intimate conversation. She refinished antique furniture and the flowers in her garden never failed to bloom. She also loved animals and always carried treats in her walker in case a canine friend crossed her path.

But, perhaps more important than any thing Marge did, was how she made people feel. Whether one was family, an old friend or someone she just met, Marge seemed to view them through the eyes of kindness and respect. She would be your friend if you wanted her to be…and she would hold that friendship close to her heart. She had a naturally subtle sense of humor and could cause a laugh or chuckle with little, if any, effort.  She made people feel that they mattered to her because they genuinely did.

Margaret is survived by her two children, Kathleen Bucholtz and Ken Bucholtz, her sister-in -law Elaine Hevrdejs (wife of James), and the following nephews and nieces and their families: Frank (Michelle) Hevrdejs, Wallace Jensen, Pat Hevrdejs Janis Gonzales and Susan (Mark) Scheppler. 

There will be a video of Margaret's Memorial Service uploaded to this website for anyone who could attend. 

In the event one wishes to make a donation in the name of Marge Bucholtz, the family would offer the following as worthy possibilities.

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave, Forest Park IL. 60130

Animal Care League, 1013 Garfield St, Oak Park, IL. 60304

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret "Marge" A. Bucholtz, please visit our floral store.