Nedetta (“Detta”) Pinder Buchheit of Grand Marais passed away June 3, 2013 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. As her good friend Cora Culbert said, “She’s painting in colors we can’t even imagine.”
Born November 12, 1940, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Detta grew up in Dove Creek, Colorado on a pinto bean farm with her seven siblings. She was a 1959 graduate of Dolores County High School and a 1961 graduate of Fort Lewis A & M College. Detta was a lifelong artist of many media including woodcarving and mixed media political and social works. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Eastern Montana University-Billings.
Detta was passionate about art and art therapy. She worked with disabled adults for many years at Growth Through Art in Billings, Montana and at the Range Art Center in Chisholm, Minnesota and later with Cora Culbert at SoHo Art Studio. Detta was a member of the Lake Superior Watercolor Society.
In the words of Detta’s nephew, Mike Pinder: “I consider life to be like a library book. It is borrowed for a short time but eventually must be returned to where it came. Within the pages of your book, a pinto bean farmer’s daughter has created a best seller. It is a story of love, loss, learning, inspiration, adventure and triumph. Truly the world is a better place for having known your tale.”
Detta’s family and friends walked her life journey with her. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Richard “Dick” Buchheit; children Jon Buchheit of Grand Marais, Scott (Cheryl) Buchheit of Crystal, Minnesota, and Sheila Buchheit of Duluth; grandchildren Matthew, Michaela, Trevor and Zachary; siblings Ben (Debbie) Pinder, Richie (Ronna) Pinder, and Janet Pinder, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Detta was preceded in death by her brothers, Mac and Jim, and sisters, Jean Casey and Roberta Keeler.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Detta’s friends, family and community members for their love and support, and particularly to Cindy, Sue, Jeanette and Heidi for their wonderful treatment and care.
Nedetta bequeathed her body to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 29 at the Congregational Church. Light refreshments will follow at the church. A celebration of life will be held when her cremated remains are returned after a two-year study. Until then, pay an act of kindness forward in her memory.
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