Carolyn Jean Buhler

Carolyn Jean (Neufeld) Buhler, 71, passed away Saturday May 29, 2021 at Mennonite Friendship Community in South Hutchinson, KS. She was born to John and Amanda Neufeld on July 5, 1949 in McPherson, KS. Carolyn attended elementary school in Hesston. She talked often of the family’s Hesston home and had fond memories of growing up there. She attended secondary school at Central Christian High School in Hutchinson. There she made many friends playing basketball and singing in a trio. Carolyn’s faith remained strong during these years and she longed to serve the Lord. Upon graduation, Carolyn moved to Thompson, Manitoba, Canada to do missionary work. She served at a daycare center there. She often spoke of how long it took to dress all the children to go outside in -50 degree weather, just to bring them back in 15 minutes and undress them again. It was in church, that she met Jim, and soon love blossomed. On December 19, 1969 Carolyn married James (Jim) Buhler. Their son, Timothy, was born 9 months later. It wasn’t long that they made a move to British Columbia and settled in Revelstoke. Soon after, their daughter, Tammy, was born. Jim had many cousins that Carolyn became close with and they all raised their kids together. Jim and the cousins built many houses in these early years and they built Carolyn’s dream home, only to never have lived in it. Carolyn and Jim made the Revelstoke Alliance church their home fellowship. Carolyn taught Sunday School for many years and was asked to initiate, and then became the Director of, a Daycare in the church. After several years, she became a stay at home mom and babysat a little boy. In the early 80’s, the marriage started to dissolve and Carolyn made the decision to move back to Kansas to raise the children closer to her family. Within a couple years her nephew, Jason, moved in with her and the children. She loved him and raised him as her own son. In the early 90’s, her parents moved onto the same property and helped support Carolyn with raising the kids. Several years later, when the kids were grown and her parents sold the property, Carolyn became transient. She struggled with finding her place. She landed in Hutchinson and worked at Alco, then Abundant Life Daycare for several years. She then had the opportunity to work as an activity aid at Mennonite Manor. She enjoyed this job immensely. She poured out her heart and energy into the residents there preparing crafts, games and sing a-longs. When her parents moved out of their home in Inman, she moved in and began to work in dietary at Pleasant View Home until she retired in 2015. In 2017 she moved with Tammy’s family to Erie, KS where she helped with homeschooling, making crafts for the local nursing home, and baking heaps of cookies and muffins for the family and neighbors. She loved being close to these grandchildren, but longed to spend more time with all the grand Private family services will take place with inurnment at North Inman Cemetery. Son, Tim Buhler will preside. Carolyn requested that donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child, a project which she spent many hours and resources on each year. They may be sent in care of Buhler Mortuary, PO Box 589, Buhler, KS 67522.

Carolyn Jean Buhler

July 5, 1949 - May 29, 2021