Pauline D. Burkholder

Pauline D. (Martin) Burkholder, 93, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 22, 2025. Born in New Holland, PA, she was the first of five children of the late Clarence P. and Edna Hollinger Martin and the wife of the late James Witwer Burkholder who passed away in 2003. Pauline lived most of her life in East Earl, PA, but resided at Fairmount Homes Retirement Community for the past 7 years.

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Pauline lived a life of kindness, selflessness, and generosity. She will be remembered for her dedication to her family and her faith in Jesus. Her children and grandchildren brought her much joy and she loved them deeply, supporting them in their endeavors. She thrived on hosting family and friends for elaborate meals, welcoming her grandchildren to creatively-planned slumber parties, and inviting other widows and friends to laughter-filled game days.

Pauline was a doer and a giver. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, the beds and garden immaculately maintained often in the earliest hours of daylight. An accomplished seamstress, she pieced and quilted four-patch quilts for each of her grandchildren and sewed many dresses for her daughters and their dolls. She loved to play games and was uplifted by music, especially good 4-part harmony. And she gave sacrificially to ministries that meet the needs of others through Jesus.

While being a mother and homemaker was Pauline’s greatest joy, she also dedicated more than 25 years to serving customers in the Shady Maple Farm Market cafeteria. An active member of Weaverland Mennonite Church for many years, she was a current member of Petra Church where she served in hospitality and food service.

Pauline is survived by six children: Galen (Marie Landis) Burkholder of Landisville; Jeanette Sauder of Mooresville, NC; Brenda (Dave) Harnish of Landisville; Dale (Thelma Leaman) Burkholder of Leola; Doris (Dean) Sauder of Lancaster; Darlene (Randy) Blank of East Earl; daughter-in-law Pam (Graybill) Burkholder of Carlisle; sister Arlene Peifer of Lancaster; 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by son Ronald Burkholder, infant granddaughter Andrea Burkholder, son-in-law Calvin Sauder, brothers Lester Martin and Richard Martin, and sister Elva Newswanger.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 8, at 4 PM at Petra Church, New Holland. Friends are invited to visit with the family between 3 and 4 PM. Interment in the Weaverland Anabaptist Faith Community cemetery will be private and at the convenience of the family.

The family expresses our deep appreciation for the compassionate and gentle care Fairmount staff provided over the past years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pauline’s name to Global Disciples, 315 W. James Street, Suite 202, Lancaster, PA 17603 (www.globaldisciples.org) or to Fairmount Homes Retirement Community Sharing Fund, 333 Wheatridge Drive, Ephrata, PA 17522 (www.fairmounthomes.org).