Mary Buch

Mary Ann (Mikulencak) Buch went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 23, 2022. She was born in Goodrich, Wisconsin, on April 4, 1922. With courage, strength and purpose, Mary was blessed to enjoy a full life just shy of 100 years.

Mary was the daughter of Thomas and Marie Mikulencak, immigrants from Czechoslovakia. Thomas passed away when Mary was two years old, leaving Marie a widow with five children and the family farm. Marie unwaveringly passed on her faith to her children and, through God’s providence, began meeting with a small group of Christians in her home on Sunday mornings. This gathering became known as Goodrich Baptist Church. These foundational years would prove to be the legacy of faith passed down from Mary and her siblings to the successive generations.

At age 17, Mary moved to Chicago to live with her oldest sister, Anna, and work part-time as a maid. She described these happy experiences as some of her best memories. On September 4, 1943, she married Paul Herman Buch from Medford, Wisconsin. They lived and worked on their farm until 1946, after which time they moved to Wausau, Wisconsin, became lifelong residents and raised five children. On June 7, 1977, Paul suddenly passed away; Mary remained a widow for nearly 45 years.

Mary’s love for Christ inspired in her a desire and joy to serve others. Hospitality was always prevalent in her home in a variety of ways to countless guests. At Bible Truth Chapel, she often helped in the kitchen, cared for toddlers in the AWANA nursery, and played the piano for youth activities. For many years she served as a cook at Riverside and Living Waters Bible Camps, youth ministries to which she was fully committed.

Mary immensely enjoyed the outdoors and working in her large garden; she regularly canned and preserved fruits and vegetables to last throughout the year. Her home often had the aroma of freshly baked goods, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, never hesitating to provide a welcome to all. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by parents Thomas and Marie Mikulencak, husband Paul Buch, siblings Anna Macik, Joseph, John, Frank and Rose Mikul, Anthony Mikulencak, and daughter-in-law LuAnn Buch.

Mary is survived by her children John (Carol) Buch, James (Elaine) Buch, Paul (Valerie) Buch, Phillip (Rebecca) Buch, Karen (Kenneth) Ness; grandchildren Jeremy (Susanna) Buch, Jason (Courtney) Buch, Johanna Buch, Jessica Buch, Andrew Buch, Erika (Stephen) Balderston, Stephanie (Adam) Sarff, Daniel (Karla) Ness, Kevin (Jennah) Ness, Matthew (Kait) Buch, and Bethany (Nate) Hettinga; and great-grandchildren Joel, Cora, Owen and Ava Buch; Camille, Olivia and Everett Balderston; Noah, Emma, Whitney and Jared Sarff; Oaks, James, Jude, Caroline, Asher and Julia Ness.

Services for Mary will be held on April 2, 2022, at Bible Truth Chapel, 1600 N. 1st Ave, Wausau, WI. Visitation will begin at 9:00am, followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:30am. Lunch will be served after the service. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, 235962 N. Troy St. Wausau WI 54403.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to Goodrich Community Church, N3258 Spring Dr. Athens, WI 54411, or Living Waters Bible Camp at www.lwbc.org/donate.

**WE HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THE RECORDING OF THE SERVICE IS UPSIDE DOWN  WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY ON GETTING THE ISSUE FIXED**