Hugh Leon Buchanan

Hugh Leon Buchanan, 95, of Otter Creek, WI, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at BeeHive in Eau Claire under the care of his loving family.

Hugh was born Sept. 22, 1930, in Sauk City, WI, to Elmer and Sadie (Miller) Buchanan.

Drafted in 1951, Hugh proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed at the 379th Evacuation Hospital in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1953. 

He married Lois Jessie on Dec. 23, 1961 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Prairie du Sac, WI.

Hugh received his bachelor's degree from UW Madison in accounting. He spent the bulk of his career as an auditor for the State of Wisconsin (1955-1981) before finishing his career as a rural mail carrier. His union salary and pension allowed him to provide for his wife and family. But, Hugh’s real passion came in service to his community and his church. 

Hugh and Lois were founding members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Hugh served on his church council, was on pastor search and screening committees, was a church usher, Sunday School teacher, and a frequent volunteer at the Eau Claire Beacon House. Hugh’s family taught him how to be a man of faith, and he strongly believed that faith calls us to treat each other with dignity and compassion. 

Further, he frequently donated blood, having donated numerous gallons of blood during his lifetime.

Hugh was a dedicated family man who cared for his wife through illness at home for several years of their marriage. Along with his long and loving marriage, he was a dedicated father and grandfather.

For nearly 50 years, Hugh lived on a 198 acre wetland and hobby farm in the Town of Otter Creek where he grew corn, tomatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, and flowers. Family members have beloved memories of the Hyslip farm. 

When not working or volunteering, Hugh loved to read. He especially loved westerns and detective mysteries, puzzle books, and playing cribbage. Sports, particularly Packers football and Brewers baseball, were close to his heart.

But his favorite pastime was visiting his favorite servers, sometimes three times a day, at The Norske Nook in Osseo. He was beloved by the Norske Nook servers. Hugh always had an extra dollar coin for his servers’ kids and gave out baby books to anyone he knew that was pregnant. 

Hugh is survived by sister Kathleen Oyen of Lodi; two daughters, Rebecca (Larry) Humphrey, of San Antonio, TX, and Emily Pettersen, of Altoona; and his grandson Brandon Buchanan (Skylee Lara) of Beloit. He is preceded in death by his wife Lois Buchanan; parents Elmer and Sadie; and 3 brothers David, Clarence, and Keith. 

The family would like to thank BeeHive Homes and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care of “Hugh-B” in his final years. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley (formerly Beacon House) and/or Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 13, at 11:00 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held prior, beginning at 9:00 and leading up to the service. Following the service, Hugh will be laid to rest at the Rest Haven Cemetery in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The family invites those attending to a luncheon and fellowship at Trinity Lutheran following the burial.

The Hulke Family Funeral Home is serving the family.

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