Eric Wayne Buchholz, aged 60, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, August 20, 2026, while vacationing in Chetek, Wisconsin.

Eric was born July 18, 1966, in Glenwood, Minnesota, to Dwight and Andrea (Anderson) Buchholz. He was raised by his parents in DeForest, Wisconsin, and attended Waunakee High School. Later in life, Eric earned his GED through Wisconsin Technical College before attending trucking school in Hammond, Wisconsin. He successfully completed his training and earned his commercial driver’s license.

Eric spent several years working as an over-the-road truck driver. He also explored several other careers, including co-owning a tiling company and working as a plastics manufacturing operator. In that role, he worked with machinery and materials to produce plastic products. Eric's career experiences and skills he developed were easily transferred to his personal interests and hobbies.

Eric was a man who enjoyed working with his hands and had a natural curiosity about how things worked. He was a tinkerer, a collector and a treasure hunter at heart. He loved garage sales and auctions and had an eye for finding just about anything he thought was interesting or worth bringing home. Eric had a knack for organizing his treasures, had an eye for decorating and maintained an immaculate "workshop" in the garage he shared with his Uncle Bill. Eric was always ready to lend a hand in helping others with their projects.

Eric was unapologetically honest with regard to his convictions and opinions on various topics. He had the best laugh and a great smile. He was a fun-loving friend, cousin, nephew and son. Eric was generous with his time for friends and relatives, often sharing treasures he collected with a particular individual in mind. Eric shared his master grilling skills with numerous consumers over the years. There are so many things about Eric that will be deeply missed by his friends and family. Eric lived a robust life, packed with projects, adventures, laughter and more treasures than any garage could reasonably hold. Though his journey was cut short, he leaves behind a wealth of memories—and plenty of stories to keep his friends and family smiling for years to come.

Eric is survived by his uncles and aunts, Harold (LaVonne) Anderson and Paul (Sandy) Buchholz; his first cousins, Drew (Sue) Anderson, Kecia (Lori) Anderson, Damon Anderson, Cassandra (Jes) Gibbons and Melissa (Joe) Garcia; many second cousins and extended family members; and a wide circle of close friends, including Jason Van Dinter.

Eric is preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Andrea (Anderson); grandparents, Russell and Cleo Buchholz, Andrew and Augusta Anderson, Aunt Cleo Buchholz, Aunt Jannene Miller, and his mom's Schnauzer, Greta.

A Celebration of Eric’s life will be held at Breanna and Jason Siebert's home E3701 County Road V, Ridgeland, WI on Sunday, September 20th, 2026, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.

Burnham-Ours-Kolstad has been entrusted with arraignments.