09/14/2026
The Bucholtz and Johnson families have been part of the Hilmar story for generations, with four generations connected to our schools and community.
Rod Bucholtz, Class of 1960, and Charis Johnson-Bucholtz, Class of 1958, both came from families with deep roots in Hilmar. Rod’s parents, Bill and Adeline Bucholtz, settled here in 1952 and soon opened Bucholtz Meats, a local butcher shop that served the community for generations. Charis’ grandparents were Swedish emigrants who settled in Hilmar in 1934, followed by her parents, Herman and Dagmar Johnson, in 1936. Herman was a local painter and served on the Hilmar School Board from the late 1950s through 1963.
Even the family’s connection to our schools reaches back generations. Recently discovered school archives from the 1940s revealed that Adeline and Dagmar were among the earliest registered PTO members, then known as PTA, at Elim Elementary.
Rod and Charis raised three Hilmar High graduates: Billy ’80, Michelle ’84 and Susan ’90. Billy became a longtime English teacher at Hilmar Middle School and is fondly remembered by so many as Mr. Bucholtz. Michelle married her high school sweetheart, Alan Peterson ’83, and their children continued the family’s Yellowjacket tradition, with Sydney ’16 and Olivia ’20. Susan married her high school sweetheart, Emanuel Azevedo ’90, and raised three more Yellowjackets: Carter ’18, Aidan ’20 and Hudson ’23.
After 27 years teaching at Elim, Susan now serves as principal of Hilmar Elementary, bringing her own journey through Hilmar schools full circle.
And the family’s connection to Hilmar goes beyond graduation years and school roles. Adeline became known throughout the community as “Hilmar’s Grandma” and was honored as Grand Marshal of Hilmar’s Centennial Parade.
You can often find their family in the stands, cheering on the Yellowjackets and supporting our athletes across all sports. Their family continues to be part of the Hilmar story.
