Betty Ann Buhler

Obituary For Betty Ann Buhler

Mrs. Betty Ann Heise Buhler passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on the morning of February 19, 2025. Born in the cold climes of Mankato, MN, on November 2, 1927, to Edwin and Sedona “Sadie” Heise, Betty grew up to be a warm-hearted and true beauty, both inside and out. At the age of 18, she was crowned Miss Mankato by Hubert Humphrey, who later became Vice President of the United States but was Mayor of Mankato at the time. Betty attended the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with a teaching degree. Prior to college, she worked as a switchboard operator.

In 1952, Betty married William Ives Buhler. They were happily married for 72 years and had three children. In 1954, Betty, William, and their newly born daughter, Susan, moved from San Diego, CA (where Bill was stationed during the Korean Conflict) to Albuquerque, NM, where Bill obtained his LLB and JD degrees. They then moved to Truth or Consequences, NM. Starting out in a new town, Betty taught elementary school for several years until the birth of her second child, William Ives Buhler II. Sadly, her son, William, passed away in 2016.

A resident of Truth or Consequences since 1956, Betty was known to all the townsfolk as a smart, lovely, and kind person, loved by all who knew her. She enjoyed cooking, hosting bridge parties, watching Viking football games, baking, traveling, horseback riding, and reading, and she was a crossword puzzle wiz. Betty loved music and was a big fan of country music singer George Strait.

Involved in civic and philanthropic activities, Betty was a member of the Ladies Rotary Club, the “Rotary Anns,” and traveled to many foreign countries with her husband, William, when he served as District Governor of Rotary International for New Mexico and West Texas. Betty was also a Cub Scout Den Mother, a “Cowbelle,” and supported the Girl Scouts and Rainbow Girls.

A long-time lover of sports, Betty drove her daughter’s cheerleading teams to their out-of-town games for many years and served as their chaperone when her daughter competed in the national Cheerleading Competition in Tempe, AZ.

A member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Betty is survived by her husband, William I. Buhler; daughters, Susan Buhler and Windy Buhler; grandchildren, Nicholas Buhler, Andrew Buhler, Alexandra Buhler-Curran, and Morgan Buhler; brother-in-law, Kenneth Wittman; nephews, Kenneth Wittman II and Glen Bassett; and nieces, Sara Bassett, Barbara Bassett-Levine, Debra Brittenham, Heidi Ives, and Julie Buhler.

Services and remembrance for Betty will be held at a later date.