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A Tribute to Melissa Buehler
Aug 21 1947-Nov 17 2023
Melissa made her home at Henrys Lake for over 50 years. Like many of the pioneers that established themselves at north Henrys Lake, she hailed from Southern California. They all knew each other which made it a fun place to be. It fostered good relationships and reliance on friends for the rural lifestyle. Year-round residents, Melissa and Dirk were always there for friends when they needed some help, especially for the few that lived here full time. She became interwoven in our lives here; everyone knew her, knew of her, had worked along side her, had a trophy trout from her bench, ate a meal she cooked, consulted her for the fishing report or considered her a dear and cherished friend.
A woman of many talents and skills, and together with husband Dirk got involved in every aspect of life on the north shore of Henrys. Early on, she routinely volunteered at the hatchery at spawning time. Melissa and Dirk paid close attention to the spawning runs and to the assessments by hatchery staff. As a self-taught taxidermist she made her own assessments as the season progressed, based on the contents of her trophy freezer. If you needed a fishing report when you came to the Lake, asking Melissa about the freezer level was an important and remarkably accurate source. She could tell you the condition of the fish, the relative number of each species and the likely catch rates. Among the neighbors here and throughout the country, scores of trophy mounts by Melissa adorn the walls.
During the early years, Melissa and Dirk managed Wild Rose Ranch. Melissa did the cooking and Dirk managed the cabins and tended bar. It was a fun place to be for dinner and an evening of drinks and dancing. Many of us know a story or two about the good times shared at the Wild Rose. Melissa and Dirk became parents and daughter Sunny joined in the dancing.
During the eighties they moved into a subdivision at north Henrys Lake. Someone to manage the homeowner’s association was needed and Melissa stepped into the job. Managing the roads, the water system, the documents, and the organization of a board of directors all was squeezed in with her taxidermy and helping Dirk with his business ventures and the demands of year-round living at the lake.
All the caldera wildlife was important to Melissa. She knew the birds and mammals well. When there was a bear out on the flat, Melissa knew about it. If you needed help identifying a bird, Melissa helped and told you if she had seen one at her feeder. With her experience, letters and pictures Melissa became one of our best local historians.
In this setting, Melissa developed many close friends and relationships over the years. Many have known her for more than 40 years and those relationships, the kind that are hard to find in life, held for the duration. The best tales and stories of life here at the lake live within those friendships. If you were one of those friends, I hope remembering Melissa brings a smile to your face.
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