Mary Barbara Ann Buhlig

Mary Barbara Ann Buhlig ("Barbara") passed away Friday, November 25, 2022, at 4:45pm in Fort Collins, Colorado. She was 86. In her last years Barbara was suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, heart disease and other ailments, and since 2020 had resided exclusively in assisted living facilities.

Barbara was born on December 4, 1935, near Pisgah, Alabama, to Arthur and Della (Huskey) Wilkins. She was the oldest among her siblings-- Gaye, James ("Butch"), and Steve. In the 1950s, her family moved to Greeley, Colorado where she schooled through the 9th grade, worked as a telephone operator (thrilled to once connect a long-distance phone call for Humphrey Bogart), and later met and married Wayne Buhlig in 1961. The Buhligs moved to western Illinois (Joy, Cambridge, Rushville, Avon), and then to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1987, when she started working as a cashier at Taco Bell and continued until the mid-2010's, endearing many loyal customers along the way. Her greatest passion though was as devoted mother to her sons-- Todd, Rodd and Blake; then later as "nana" or "nonnie" to Nathan, Alex, Madalyn, Kayla, Benjamin, Jaron, Silas and Micah. Especially when young, she enjoyed friends and partying, pop music from the 1950's, and easy listening/soft rock music from the 1960's and 70's. Especially later in life, she enjoyed Gaither-style gospel music. She always enjoyed family including extended and in-laws, whether by presence or telephone.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Gaye, her brother Butch, and many friends and extended family. She is survived by her husband Wayne, her youngest brother Steve, and all her children and grandchildren.