Curt Douglas Buhler, 64, of Sheboygan, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Curt was born in Sheboygan, WI on April 11, 1961, the son of Eugene and Helen (Keller) Buhler. He graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1980.
On May 14, 1983, he was united in marriage to his life-long partner Dawn Maria Dicke at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sheboygan Falls. Together they raised three children: Mitchell, Michael, and Maria.
Curt’s first job was a paper boy in his early teens. He went on to work at Dave’s Standard Station in Sheboygan Falls where he found his love for working on cars. He bought his first car before he even had his driver’s license. He then went on to work at Sheboygan Screw Products, Curt Joa, Menards, Piggly Wiggly, Lakeshore Display, BOG Industries, TDN Tree Service, Bemis Manufacturing and finally Faase Paint (Diamond Vogel) where he retired in April. While still working full-time, he also had part-time jobs leading up to his retirement working for Chris & Sue’s Restaurant, the Hub at Johnsonville, Ballhorn & Westview Funeral Homes & finally Sound Mekanix. He enjoyed these jobs and the friends he made so much these last several years. Curt was a good provider & not afraid of hard work, always looking for jobs to better himself & his family.
Early in their marriage, Curt & Dawn shared a love for snowmobiling, spending many winters enjoying their 1983 John Deere Liquid Fire & 1980 John Deere Trail Fire, trail riding in Sheboygan County as well as Northern Wisconsin. Later on, he and his good friend Mark Krueger began buying and selling John Deere Snowmobiles as a hobby. He loved to attend snowmobile races and vintage events whenever he could.
Curt’s passion and love for cars was like no other. He took great pride in his 1978 Trans Am, 1955 Chevy Wagon (restoring it to great condition) & his 1986 El Camino (which he purchased from his church family Carol & Tommy Beninghaus). He was so neat and particular with his cars. For those attending the Service & Funeral please drive your classic car in honor of Curt’s passion for cars. In the late 90’s, he started Curt’s Car Care business detailing cars. He loved attending car shows and swap meets (to purchase parts he needed). Highlights include: Iola Car Shows, Jefferson Car Shows, Plymouth McDonalds Car Nights, Wayne’s Drive In Cruise Nights, Back to the 50’s in Minnesota & Sheboygan Falls Ducktona which he helped plan and run for several years, along-side his car friends, Tom & Nancy Winkel and Lynn & Sharon Proefrock. In the late ‘80’s, he also enjoyed the Plymouth Stock Car Races, helping his friend Tim Thiel in his Pit Crew for several years. In the last 8 years, he bought & started riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle. He enjoyed cruising by himself on nice sunny days after a hard day at work.
Curt enjoyed the outdoors and camping at State Parks, KOA’s & private parks. Starting with just a tent, moving up to a Jayco pop-up which they traveled with all over the state of Wisconsin as well as New York, Ohio, Michigan & South Dakota. He enjoyed building a campfire, cooking & eating Boy Scout Meals & Pudgy Pies and sitting around it enjoying a cold beverage with family & friends. Many good memories were made on the Annual St. Mary’s Camping weekends at Kohler Andre State Park as well as his own back yard. Curt & his family also enjoyed travel throughout the United States, getting to as many states as possible. On their 25th Wedding Anniversary, they went on a Caribbean Cruise where they met Dave & Jenny Oberle who became great friends. This became the beginning of annual vacations, getting to approximately 30 states. Curt’s favorites include: Niagara Falls & Mount Rushmore (as a family), Hawaii (learning about the history of Pearl Harbor) and Maine (eating Lobster & Clam Chowder) and spending the last several years going to Thompson Lake in Rhinelander, WI with our extended family the Badoras & Dahlman’s.
He was an active member at Blessed Trinity Parish (formerly St. Mary’s) as an usher for many years, before becoming a member at Holy Name Catholic Church. There he joined the Men’s Bible Study led by Fr. Matthew Widder and started deepening his faith life. After Covid, Curt along with his wife Dawn joined a Bible Study Group with their great friends Tom & Lee Anne Gilson. The relationships build at both Bible Studies Groups helped Curt further his love for Jesus and pulled him through many of life’s hard struggles that he had to endure.
Curt loved and was very proud of his 3 children. He enjoyed attending their sporting events, high school band concerts, and dance performances as much as he could. He was proud of the fact that they each furthered their education beyond high school. He always helping to guide them with his mechanical knowledge. He was so looking forward to helping & spending time with Mitchell & Michael in his retirement. His last trip was to Canada with them enjoying their time together and catching his one & only Walleye. His greatest heart break was the loss of his daughter Maria & her boyfriend Joey.
He was an avid Packer Fan like a true Wisconsinite. He always enjoyed watching games with friends and family. He enjoyed going to the games but later years didn’t enjoy sitting in a cold stadium, he preferred to watch the games in front of his warm fireplace.
Curt was a Dog Lover. He was never passing up a chance to hold or pet man’s best friend. His dog Muffin of 18 ½ years meant the world to him, following behind was Buddy, Lambeau, Lucy, Harley, Nash, Ranger and Little Ralphie.
He volunteered and helped others whenever possible: St. Mary’s School, Blessed Trinity Parish, St. Vincent De Paul, fundraisers for local charities, donating to them and helping family & friends with yard work & maintenance projects. Giving out College & Dance Scholarships in memory of Maria was very important to him.
Curt is survived by his wife Dawn of 42 years; sons Mitchell and Michael; brother Gary (Kris) Buhler; siblings-in-law Denise Dicke, Derrick Dicke, Danette Mary (Joe) St. Andre, Dwight Dicke; church brother Tommy Beninghaus; nieces and nephews: Matthew St. Andre, Krystle St. Andre (Andrew Jacklin), Nathen (Jill) Nysse, Matthew (Nicole) Nysse; great nieces and nephews. He is further survived by special family friends Mike & Dyan Badora and their children, Darold and Collette, as well as other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Maria Dawn Buhler, her boyfriend Joey Badora, his parents & parents-in-law, and church brother Bobby Beninghaus.
A funeral service will be held for Curt at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Sheboygan on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 1:00 pm. He will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sheboygan Falls next to Maria.
Relatives and friends may greet the family at Holy Name from 10:00 am until the time of service.
For those attending the Service, please drive your classic car in honor of Curt’s passion for cars.
A memorial fund to be determined has been established in Curt’s name.
Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting the family. Please visit wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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