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Deborah Buchholtz

April 12, 2022
Kalamazoo, MI

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Buchholtz, Deborah 3/9/1967 - 4/12/2022 Kalamazoo Deborah (Deb) Jean Buchholtz, 55, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 in Kalamazoo, MI after a long and valiant fight against Neuroendocrine tumors. Deb was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Jane and Roger Buchholtz during a trip to Roger's army base before he shipped out to fight in Vietnam. Soon after, they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where her father built the house their family would call home for the next 50+ years. Deb attended Parchment High School where she was very active in sports and various academic and volunteer organizations. She later attended the University of Michigan where she graduated in 1988 with a political science and economics degree in under four years. After graduating, she worked full-time as a manager and Director of Marketing at the family-owned High Wheeler restaurant in Kalamazoo. While still working full-time, she earned her MBA from the University of Chicago. In September of 1989, Deb married her college sweetheart Jeffrey Louis Hiemstra and they settled down in Kalamazoo, where they welcomed their first daughter, Lindsey (Hiemstra) Ancevski, into the world in December of 1992. Following an exciting career opportunity for Jeff, the family of three moved to Seoul, South Korea for two and a half years where Deb taught English. After returning to the States, Deb worked as a business consultant and travel agent and was later elected to be a Kalamazoo County Commissioner in the 2000 election. In January of 2002, Jeff and Deb welcomed their second daughter, Alaina Kathryn Hiemstra. Deb served on the County Board for 11 years and was either Chairwoman or Vice Chairwoman of the Board for the final 8 years of her tenure. She then went on to be the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan. After a rewarding time with BBBS, she started her own business while also serving as a member of the Kalamazoo County Road Commission. Though health problems plagued her for the past 30+ years, through her drive and determination, she visited over 60 countries on adventure travel trips with family, friends, and by herself. She made annual trips to visit her brother, niece, and nephew in Colorado where she loved to push her physical limits in the mountains and loved to spend time with her niece and nephew even more. Deb loved the experiences, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures in her travels. She never met a stranger and formed many lasting friendships along the way. Preceded in death by her mother, Jane (Fink) Buchholtz (March 15, 2017). Deb is survived by her father and step-mother Roger and DeLayne Buchholtz, her daughter and son-in-law, Lindsey (Hiemstra) and Filip Ancevski, her daughter, Alaina Hiemstra, her brother, Brian Buchholtz, his wife Rebecca Knewtson and their children, Adelaide and Wesley, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Deb did not want a traditional funeral service, so instead, a memorial service later this summer will be held for her family and friends to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, Deb requested donations be given to NET cancer research. Two great organizations dedicated to this are the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation and the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Deb truly defined what it means to be determined and self-motivated. From her work in politics to her never-ending world travels, Deb cared deeply about her community and improving the world in any way she could. Well liked by both sides of the aisle, Deb worked tirelessly to do what was right and help those in need. She raised two strong, independent daughters and taught them through her example how to maximize the time each of us has in this world. She epitomized this right up until her last days with intrepid travel despite her declining health. Her life, travels, and cancer battle were all beautifully documented by Deb herself between her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/deb.buchholtz) and her CaringBridge blog (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/debbuchholtz)