Alumni Obituary – Nicolle Lynette Buhler

Wichita, Kansas – Nicolle Lynette (Spann) Buhler (CC ’90) was born to Dr. Richard and Beverly Spann (CC ’57) in Rochester, MN on March 27, 1970. She went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

Nicolle’s early interests in life were travel, Disney, missions and ministry, and always building significant friendships. She attended Central College in McPherson, KS, and finished her English degree at Greenville College in Illinois. She later received a Juris Doctorate in Law from Washburn University & and an Elementary Education degree from Friends University. Her career focused on Property Law until she had a family and she then turned her passion into homeschooling her children.  As she grew her family, her interests in Disney & travel (yearly vacations to Missouri and Colorado) continued as well as adding new interests in scrapbooking, jewelry, and ministries around adoption.  Through all of these activities, she formed significant lifelong friendships.

While pursuing her Elementary Education degree in Wichita, she met Timothy Buhler and they courted during her final year of schooling and student teaching in Moline, IL. They were married in Wichita on July 24th, 1999. They lived a lifetime of adventures in their 22 years of marriage, going to Israel, Egypt, Scotland, and Korea. They began their marriage in Moline, IL for 9 years, while Tim served at Homewood EFC before moving to Kansas (Newton, KS) in 2008 and then to Wichita in their current home in 2016.

In Moline, IL, Nicolle and Tim had their first 3 children Jordyn, Holly & Caleb. Upon moving to Newton, they adopted Nathaniel & Benjamin from South Korea.  Nicolle loved to home school and teach her children with excellence. They learned to have a fear and love for the Lord, while she taught the oldest three into their high school years when they transitioned to Trinity Academy.  She also loved teaching the youngest two and was so proud of their transition to Trinity Academy in the last year.

Nicolle’s first love was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She came to know Him at an early age. She sought Him for His work in her life to minister to others. From a missions trip to Russia to her passion for adoption.  This was most clearly reflected in the support and investment she made in the life of her husband and her children. She loved and treasured them and poured forth her life in an effort to make sure they lived fully, from academic, relational & spiritual good.

Nicolle’s love for Scripture has been a source of life for her and her family.  From her BSF upbringing to AWANA teaching, memorizing the Word was a part of her and the kids’ lives. She loved to study and dig deep into the Scriptures and would capture spiritual insights that would feed her soul and spirit. Though cancer took the body it never took her spirit or her heart. Those who leaned in close to us over these past five years saw firsthand how her faith was relentless and resilient and never left a doubt of God’s hand and presence in the midst of this battle. Though we don’t understand God’s path from our perspective, we know she has finally realized ultimate healing.

The outpouring of love expressed from both our family and friends through our believing community has brought a depth of encouragement over these past years and provided God‘s presence through their hands and feet. We can never express enough thanks and appreciation for literally the thousands of touches that God has given us through our friends and family.

Nicolle is preceded in death by her mom, Beverly Spann. Nicolle is survived by her husband Tim, her children Jordyn Buhler, Holly Buhler, Caleb Buhler, Nathaniel Buhler, and Benjamin Buhler, her father, Richard Spann, and sister, Michelle Cornwell along with her family.

Although her family and friends miss her greatly, we take comfort in the fact that she is with her Lord. She has fought the good fight, she has finished the course. She has kept the faith. We know she is in a glorified body like her Lord Jesus hearing the words, “Well done good and faithful servant…come and share your Master’s happiness.”

ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS

Central Christian College of Kansas is a regionally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Central strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person – heart, mind, soul, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about Central go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.