Frank Joseph Bueler

May 7, 1916 – August 1, 2013

Frank Bueler died on August 1st, 2013 at the age of 97 after a short illness. Frank was born in Ruston WA to Frank Sr. and Anna Bueler, both Swiss immigrants. In 1917 when the family included older sister Anne and Frank, his parents moved the family to a farm south of Snohomish. In 1920 they moved to another farm down the road. The kids attended the Marshland School and went on to Snohomish High School where Frank graduated in 1937. Even jobs he took away from the farm, he was mostly home on weekends so lived almost his entire life in Snohomish County.

He married Marjorie Rush on October 25, 1941, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Snohomish. They were full partners in raising their six children and working their dairy farm south of Snohomish. They spent their 25th wedding anniversary milking cows in a new parlor. When Marjorie died in 2005, they were three weeks shy of celebrating 64 years of marriage.

Frank was a dairy farmer through and through. He loved the soil and everything that had to do with the dairy farming business. He loved his large family and his large extended family. There were many huge family gatherings and outings over the years.

He was a faithful member of St. Michael's Catholic Church since 1917 – 96 years. He had many friends there, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and an integral part of the church family for many years. At the old church on Avenue B he served as an usher – something that made him very uncomfortable and nervous. What he never realized is that he was good at it! And at the “new” church, he spent many evenings picking up rocks, rearranging and smoothing the ground with the tractor, laying some drainage to fix or improve – he loved the earth. Frank and brother-in-law Bob Houck and his brother Tony filled the front lawn at Father’s house to make it a fairly level lawn from a slope down to the street. Then they waited to hear if the utility folks would have a problem with it. Evidently they didn’t – the box is still down at the street surrounded by the raised yard.

Frank was a member of the Monroe Swiss Club and enjoyed many friends there and throughout the Swiss community. Attending picnics allowed him to visit with other old-timers and hear and tell stories in Swiss. Frank and Marjorie visited Switzerland several times and relatives came to visit as well. They would often comment on the oldness of his words.

He was a great storyteller and made new friends until his dying day. We will miss his stories, his great sense of humor, his twinkle and that smile, his wisdom, his knowledge, his example of how to live every day fully no matter your age, and how not to quit until you're done. We are left with an amazing legacy of work ethic extraordinaire, unwavering persistence, and unfailing faith in God.

Frank is survived by his six children: Mary Lou (Reid) Carleton, Mike (Rhonda) Bueler, Theresa (Jerry) Binkley, Fran Bueler (John Bertsch), Jane Bueler (Van Hill) and Tim (Connie) Bueler, ten grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and another due in November. He is also survived by his sister Edna Houck in Monroe and sister-in-law Audrey Bueler in Monroe.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie, parents, his sister Anne Wilson, his brother Tony Bueler, and grandchild Charlene Bueler.

Rosary will be at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Snohomish on Tuesday, August 13 at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at 11 a.m. A reception will follow immediately in the parish hall. Final service at GAR Cemetery will be at 3 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to St Michael’s School, 1512 Pine Avenue, Snohomish WA 98290 or to Providence Hospice of Snohomish County, 2731 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 500, Everett WA or to a charity of your choice.