Dr. Foster Bucher

Memorial services for Dr. Donald Foster Bucher of Starbuck - has been canceled at this time.

Foster Donald Bucher, 95, was born October 28, 1924 to Sarah Priscilla and Foster Leonard Bucher in a teacherage near Foreman, North Dakota.   During Don’s growing years the family lived in Cleveland, Lisbon, and Hatton, North Dakota.  He graduated from the Hatton High School in 1942 and worked briefly for the F.B.I. in Washington D.C. before enrolling in Naval V-12 educational program to become a medical doctor.  Don took his pre-med at Yale, New Haven, CT and then went to University of North Dakota medical school.

Don married Katherine Lucille Staupe, his high school sweetheart, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hatton, ND, August 3, 1947.   In 1949, Don graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical School and interned at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Sioux City, IA.

From 1950-1990, Don practiced medicine in Starbuck, taking time in 1953-1955 to serve as a medical officer aboard ship USS Olmstead during the Korean War. In 1956, Don’s friend and UND college roommate, Dr. Allan Zempel, joined his practice in Starbuck.

Don was devoted to his patients and was awarded the Minnesota Family Physician of the year in 1986. A community leader, Don served on the boards of numerous community organizations and was a member of the Fron Lutheran Church of Starbuck and the American Lutheran Church, Sun City, AZ.  Don enjoyed woodworking, golfing, and in earlier days, hunting and flying his Cessna 500 airplane.

After retirement Don and Kathy enjoyed winters in Arizona with their Minnesota snowbird friends.  The past six years they made their home at Holly Ridge Manor.

Don died on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Holly Ridge in Starbuck, MN. He was 95 years old.

Don is survived by his sister, Phyllis Bjreke of Decorah, IA; brother David (Lucille) Bucher of Bemidji, MN; and his children, Foster (Cher) Bucher  of Centralia, WA,  Jane (John) Ramsey of Minneapolis, MN, Becky (Paul) Wigley of Lakeville, MN, Fred Bucher of St. Michael, MN; six grandchildren:  Matthew Bucher, Andrew Bucher, Sarah Bucher, Sarah Wigley, Dan Bucher, Laura Bucher;  and one great-grandchild, Oscar Bandholm Vinde Bucher. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Don can be made to Fron Lutheran Church and Holly Ridge Manor Assisted Living in Starbuck, MN.

Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.