Connie Buher

1942 - 2021

Connie Lynn Willer Buher

April 28, 1942 - July 19, 2021

Connie Lynn Willer Buher passed away at home on July 19, 2021, surrounded by loved ones. She was born April 28, 1942 in Sioux City, IA. She was raised in Moville, IA, a small farming community 15 miles east of Sioux City. She had four brothers, Steve, Bruce, Neil and Vance. After graduating from Moville Public High, she worked as a legal secretary at a local law firm. In the early 60's, the family moved to Omaha, NE where Connie met and married Dick Marshall. In 1965, they relocated to Santa Barbara, CA where Connie worked for the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce. She was one of the first radio dispatchers hired by the Santa Barbara County Fire Dept. and later transferred to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. In March 1974, after a divorce, she married Jimmy Buher, a deputy with the County Sheriff. She left the Sheriff's Office at that time and worked as assistant to the Director of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

When Jim was transferred to Santa Maria, she went back to work as a dispatcher in the Santa Maria office. In September 1977, she went to work for Allan Hancock College as assistant to the Director of Learning Resources. In 1981, she was promoted to Bookstores Manager and later became Director of Bookstore Services. She retired in December 2005, after nearly 28 years with the college.

When Connie became manager of the AHC Bookstore, she found her niche in life. No one was more devoted to her job, and the students and instructors than she. She looked forward to every day and her overriding theme was, "We dont say no-we find a way to get it done!"

Conne leaves behind her husband of 47 years, Jimmy Buher, daughter Janis Taylor, son Bryan Marshall, son Paul (Sara) Marshall, 4 grandchildren, Ashlen (Chris) Spence, Chelsea (Robert) Poodry, Taylor Marshall, and Devin Marshall. She also leaves 5 great-grandchildren, Bryn, Reegan and Toryn Spence and Wyatt and Dylan Poodry.

Connie loved to entertain and was known for being a fearless cook who was constantly trying new recipes. After retirement, she wrote a cookbook of family recipes which is still in use by many, especially her two granddaughters. She's asked that her family throw a party to roast and toast her memory with lots of good food, good wine and laughter. She called it the After Party. An Open House style After Party will be held from noon to 4pm in Graciosa Hall, upstairs at the Far Western Tavern in Old Orcutt on Saturday, October 23, 2021.