Ardella Buchholz

Ardella Buchholz, 87, of Fargo, and previously of Fredonia, died peacefully Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, surrounded by her husband and children. The service will be held Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Fredonia Martin Luther Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held at 10 AM with the service to follow at 11 AM and burial in the Martin Luther Cemetery at 12 noon.

Ardella was born June 12, 1939, in a farm west of Wishek, North Dakota, the third of eight children born to Calvin and Frieda (Rueb) Meidinger.

Ardella married Rodney Buchholz, November 27, 1960, in Wishek. Ardella attended school in McIntosh County where she obtained her GED. They moved to Fredonia in 1961. While living in Fredonia, everyone complimented her on her big garden of vegetables and flowers.

Ardella shared her time and talent with many serving on the Executive Jubilee Committee as treasurer, custodian at Martin Luther Lutheran Church for 30 years, member of the ALCW, City of Fredonia Assessor, Sunday School superintendent and server and cook at the Fredonia Cafe. Her hobbies included spending time with family, camping, fishing, collecting coins, gardening and canning. Her family and friends say she was one of the greatest cooks and her popular requests were famously known as her chicken and strudel and cheese buttons.

Ardella and Rodney spent many happy hours together on the dance floor, especially enjoying waltzes, two-steps, and polkas. In later years, while living at Eventide in Fargo, they could often be found watching The Lawrence Welk Show or Mollie B Polka Party together on television, reliving their love of music and dancing. Ardella also treasured time spent in their camper and never passed up an opportunity for a camping or fishing trip. Ardella and Rodney shared a love of horses and enjoyed attending horse races whenever they could. They especially treasured the opportunity to co-own several racehorses with Rick and Jodi and took great pride in watching them compete. A highlight of those years was a memorable trip to the Kentucky Derby, an experience they always cherished.

Four years ago, Ardella and Rodney moved to Eventide Assisted Living in Fargo, where they cherished being closer to all three of their children. While the transition from their small hometown was an adjustment, they embraced their new community and made many new friends.  Even as physical limitations made some activities more challenging, her determination never wavered. She eagerly signed herself and Rodney up for outings on the Eventide van, whether it was a trip to the Hankinson casino, lunch, or trip to Walmart.

She is survived by her husband, Rodney, and three children, Rick (Jodi) Buchholz, Cindy (Chris) Breyer, and Teresa Buchholz; three grandchildren, Gunnar (Dani) Breyer, Dawson (fiancé Zoe) Breyer, and Sterling Buchholz; three sisters, Joyce Finck, Janice Willis and Carol Kessler; sisters-in law, Marlene Buchholz, Betty Hjelmhaug, Violet Buchholz, Shirley Buchholz, and Prudi Buchholz.

in 1995, a piece of her heart broke when her 19-year-old son, Kurt Buchholz, passed away from cancer. She was also preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mavis Waelhof, Arlia Wiest and Judy Wilson; brother, Jerome Meidinger; sister-in-law, Arlene Buchholz and Linda Klettke; brothers-in law, Julius Waelhof, Herbert Wiest, Jay Willis, Darold Finck, Gene Kessler, Gene Wilson, Leo Buchholz, Ralph Buchholz, Laurence Buchholz, Jerry Buchholz, Darrel Buchholz, and Kenny Klettke.

May she rest in peace!