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In Loving Memory of Betty Buermann

Kolar Toyota ALS Fishing Tournament – Tribute Page

This year, I’m honored to fish in the Kolar Toyota ALS Fishing Tournament in memory of my incredible mom, Betty Buermann, who we laid to rest just last Saturday after her brave and unrelenting battle with pancreatic cancer.

Last year, I dedicated my fundraising efforts to my dad, Joe, who passed away in December 2023. He was a strong, steady presence in our lives, and losing him was a heartbreak that we are still learning to live with. I never imagined I’d be returning to this tournament only months later with another dedication on my heart—but here I am, casting my line for both of them now.

Betty was more than just my mother—she was the heart of our family and the soul behind Joe’s Last Resort, the local gathering place she ran with pride and love. Whether she was welcoming regulars behind the bar or spending quiet moments with her children and grandchildren, she was always the same authentic, kind, and caring woman. Her presence made people feel seen, safe, and loved—no matter where or how they knew her.

Even in her final days, as cancer ravaged her body, her spirit never wavered. She met each day with the same strength and grace that defined her life.

While this tournament is dedicated to supporting the fight against ALS, I fish to honor all families facing terminal illness—the patients, the caregivers, and the loved ones left behind. I fish for my mom, for my dad, and for the legacy of love they built together.

Fishing has a way of bringing people together, and so did Betty and Joe. Through their lives and through Joe’s Last Resort, they created a place—and a feeling—that will live on far beyond them.

Thank you for visiting this page, for remembering Betty and Joe with us, and for supporting this cause. Whether you knew them personally or are learning about them now, know that you’re part of the community they worked so hard to build.

For Mom.
For Dad.
For love, for authenticity, and for always casting forward.

With love and remembrance,

Why We Need Your Help...

Your gift will help individuals living with ALS and their families. Your gift will also go towards research to find a cause and cure for ALS.   

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Corporate matching gifts are a type of philanthropy in which companies financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they'll request the matching gift from their employer, who then makes their own donation. Check to see if your employer will match your donation. We have links on our website that make this process very easy!