Carol Susan (Ingersoll) Buchheit passed away in Glasgow, Montana, on September 17, 2023.
She was born September 3, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Ruth Maxine (French) and Lewie Oliver Ingersoll, joining older sister Janice. As a young child, her family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, then Flint, Michigan, where her brother Roger was born. In the 1960s Carol’s family moved to the Pittsburgh area, then to Philadelphia. Some places were more enjoyable than others (Pittsburgh was an awesome town then for a teen), but all the changes helped her appreciate the variety and advantages of different moves. Carol graduated from Upper Moreland Senior High School in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, where her most notable activity was participation in music (flute in District Band and Orchestra, pit orchestra for musicals). She earned degrees in Psychology and Educational Psychology from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
After graduating, she met Lawrence “Larry” Buchheit doing child care work with emotionally impaired children in residential care (as staff, not residents). While challenging, the work was so rewarding she felt it was the best job she ever held. Larry had been a lifelong Michigan resident, and Carol thought she’d be there for the long haul. But within a few years, they moved to Bozeman, Montana, for Larry to hire-out on the railroad and to be near his twin, Gary’s family. Raymond (1981) and Michael (1985) were both born in Bozeman and for ten years the family remained there until the BN railroad was sold to Montana Rail Link, there was a lot of laughter and fun on the Bozeman pass.
The family relocated to the Glasgow area where Larry had initially hired on as a trainman, and the family lived in Fort Peck for the next 30+ years. To enjoy Montana and arrange her home exactly as she wished was a great blessing, thanks to Larry’s ability to build anything or fix anything she broke. Gardening, sewing, cooking, family (especially granddaughters Eva, Anika, and Ayla), travel/camping, birding, kayaking, swimming, and the theatre were all sources of joy to her. Visiting family in Alaska and a trip to Iceland were perhaps the most memorable traveling she and Larry were able to do. For all her interests, Fort Peck was perfect in retirement.
Carol was employed in Bozeman by Montana State University for ten years and found work in northeast Montana with Girl Scouts for a year, and the Corps of Engineers for a brief stint. But her working life was primarily in administrative jobs at Western Area Power Administration in Fort Peck, retiring in 2014. Carol believed she’d been given so much, and that it’s important to give back to the community. Among her activities, she served 16 years on school boards in Bozeman, Fort Peck, and Nashua. She served on the FMDH board for a term and found a match for her interests in Caring Hands.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents Ruth and Lew Ingersoll, in-laws Robert and Janice Buchheit, brother-in-law Gary Buchheit, and grandparents Merle and Irene (Batcher) French, and Robert and Emma (Vollen) Ingersoll. Also preceding her in death are aunts: Geraldine Jennings, Gilma Ingersoll, Olivia Ingersoll, and Doris Ingersoll, and uncles: Edwin Ingersoll, Milo Ingersoll, Theron Ingersoll, and Robert Jennings.
She is survived by her husband Larry, who stood by her through everything; also, by her loving sons and their families of whom she was inordinately proud: Ray (Allyson) and daughters Eva and Anika of Homer, AK, and Michael (Melinda) and daughter Ayla of Bozeman, MT. She gained a special daughter with exchange student Orrawan “Ann” Montien of Thailand. Also surviving her are her favorite sister Janice (Cliff) Westerling, favorite brother Roger (Deb) Ingersoll, and special sister-in-law Julia Buchheit. Other family include brother-in-law Bob (Lynn) and several friends: Tina, Bonny, Virginia, and Mary who were like family and showed up in so many ways during her last illness. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A local memorial service will be held at Bell Mortuary on October 3, 2023, time will be announced. A private family gathering will take place at a later date for her inurnment. Condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com. Boating and swimming off the Fort Peck Dam or at Sleeping Buffalo were her favorite activities – donations to the Valley County Pool Fund would be appreciated or to the charity of your choice. Special thanks to the doctors and nursing staff at Francis Mahon Deaconess Hospital and the Billings Clinic for their compassion and professionalism during a difficult time.
Gary and Donna Dascher says
Larry and Family, we are so sorry for your loss of a wonderful person. What a sweetie she was and will be missed immensely! May God give you peace and rest.
Good bless you all.
Larry W Schoenwald says
Larry, sorry for your loss
Jeanne Liebelt says
So sorry to hear about Carol’s passing. My prayers for you Larry and family.
Susan McCullough says
Larry, Ray, Mike and family, I am so very sorry for your loss, but I hope you can take comfort in knowing that she touched so many lives, all for the better.
Pat & Pat McMahon says
Larry,
So sorry for your loss. We enjoyed our visits with Carol & you the few times we met. Our thoughts & condolences for you & your family during this time of sorrow.
God’s blessings,
Pat & Pat McMahon
Kara S ( Peterson) says
Ray,Mike, Larry and family- Im extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Carol. She was always so warm and welcoming. The world loss a kind soul.
Thoughts and comforting during this difficult time.
Diana Robinette says
Larry and family so sorry for your loss of Carol, I have so many memories fun memories being with Carol and you, when Glenn and I lived in Fort Peck, our walks, our get together at Park Grove, Fort Peck School, Fort Peck hotel, ( I still have our first dollar we made at the bar in Fort Peck that Carol gave Glenn. He framed it and stuck it up on the wall, and I still have it with her name on it).the marina and gateway , and when Jo basement flooded when they where gone. Remember all the loving and fun memories you had together and bet she was in heaven with the grand babies. Carol and Glenn are together in heaven having talks and laughter’s and watching us down here, God will bless you all.
Ted and Netty McIntyre says
Larry, so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for your family.
Traci Albright says
Thinking of Carol warms my heart. Her strength and dedication to others as well as wise words of humor will always be with me. I am thankful for the time we shared at WAPA and stories about kayaking. My prayers are offered for her and all of the family and friends that morn her passing. What a beautiful human.
Linda Sunday says
Larry,
I met Carol just once but her calmness and strong character shined through.
I am sorry for the loss of your soulmate
Linda
Linda Winkler says
We are so sorry for your loss. David worked on the RR with Larry—prayers for the family.
Arlie Gordon says
Larry, Ray, Michael and the rest of Carol’s family. I worked with Carol for many years. She always exhibited excellence in all of her endeavors. My deepest condolences. The town of Fort Peck lost a good one!
Debbie Heitman says
Larry & family
So sorry to hear about Carols passing ~ have so many fund memories of Carol during our Relay for life ( lots of laughs & tears during that time ). Carol was the sweetest person I had ever met and a Beautiful person, She will be miss 😒
Jo Cruse says
Larry, Ray and Mike, shocked and so sad to hear about the loss of Carol. She was a one of a kind, amazing woman! A dear sweet, caring person. A problem solver. A great neighbor, who took over my Daycare, when I had ambulance calls! She was invaluable on the school board. Always willing to help. Her memory will be a blessing always. I am so very sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Tanja Fransen says
Larry, I just saw this, and immediately was heartbroken. I loved visiting with her, and we had adopted a “hug, hug, kiss, kiss” greeting that made you and Mike cringe, ha ha. She will always hold a huge smile in my heart. I’m sending you and your family a little extra hugs, hugs, and kisses, kisses this holiday season.