Amy Buchanan

Amy was adventurous and brilliant-from her wit to her smile.

At 53, after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer, Amy passed away on June 23, 2024.

Amy was born in Kalamazoo, MI and grew up in Phoenix, AZ where she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with a degree in Biology. Her love of wolves, woods, and water brought her to Minnesota where she was an Interpretive Park Ranger at Voyageurs National Park. She became "Park Ranger."

Corgis were added to the mix after moving to the Minneapolis area, and she made many friends in the dog agility community.

Amy was an avid outdoors person, hiker, camper and kayaker. She loved the trails and waterways on and around Rainy and Kabetogama Lakes. During camping trips at Banning State Park, her eyes lit up every time she saw folks kayaking and rafting the Kettle River. She was hooked. She earned accreditation as an instructor from the American Canoe Association and loved all her groups she taught whitewater kayaking through Canoe U.

Amy was best known for her quick wit, fast smile, and huge sense of humor. When she wasn't riding the rapids, she made work fun at Omni Workspace/Emerald Blue Workspace Services, her employer of over 27 years.

Amy is survived by her partner of 30 years, Patty Fulton; father, Craig Buchanan (Marty); mother, Nancy Hoekstra (Stephen); brothers, Nathan Hoekstra (Ann), Casey Hoekstra, Jesse Hoekstra (Emma); nephew Zach Hoekstra; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Amy did not like formal gatherings-they were stuffy. In lieu of a memorial service, the family requests that, in her memory, you go for a walk, hike, paddle, or any activity that brings you joy. The family expresses their gratitude to Dr. Tan and the staff at Minnesota Oncology and Mercy Hospital for the outstanding care and support provided to Amy and the family over the last 8-1/2 years.

If you do wish to make a donation in Amy's honor, the Voyageurs Wolf Project was close to her heart. https://www.voyageurswolfproject.org/