Obituary: Buller, Kerstin
Kerstin was born to John and Stina Carlson on March 4, 1931, in Helsingborg, Sweden.
Kerstin enjoyed a wonderful childhood in Sweden.
She spent summers at various family summer homes, engaging in swimming and tennis.
As a teenager, she enjoyed dances and snow skiing with friends.
She worked in a movie theater, which her father, a banker, managed.
Upon completion of business courses, she went on to Bristol, England to further her study of English.
She also had brief jobs in banking and publishing before traveling to Toledo, Ohio when she was 21; spending a year with an aunt and uncle, and working at the Toledo Scale Co. During this time, she wrote of her experiences, which were published back in her home country.
Kerstin’s fluency in several languages and her business background obtained her positions with the Swedish Embassies in Stockholm, Sweden and Bonn, Germany.
It was in Bonn, that she met the love of her life, Chief Master Sargent Henry Buller, of the United States Air Force.
They were married August 1, 1959 in Zurich, Switzerland.
Henry’s service in the Air Force moved them from Bitburg, Germany, to Virginia, to California, and finally to Spokane when Henry retired from the service.
Henry and Kerstin bought their first and only home, which has been a place of comfort, joy, and pride for 44 years.
Kerstin was a wonderful cook and hostess, which she demonstrated through dinner parties and the Swedish Smorgasbord she served her family every Christmas Eve.
She decorated her home with all kinds of needlework; loved working in her garden and shopping the QVC channel.
Her love of travel led her to plan many family vacations and later in life, she and Henry enjoyed multiple cruises.
At times, Kerstin has been a member of the Vasa Club, The Swedish Club, Sons of Norway, and German Club.
In her golden years, she belonged to the Compass Club and enjoyed monthly lunches with a group of Swedish girlfriends.
Kerstin battled multiple forms of cancer and always did so with a quiet, strong courage.
She was one tough Swede.
Kerstin was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Henry Buller in 1999.
Survivors include daughter, Christine (Jeff) Erickson of Spokane; son, Michael (Valorie) Buller of Spokane; daughter, Patricia Erickson of Spokane; grandchildren Joshua, Hannah, Scott, Emily, Lauren, and Zoe.
A private burial will take place at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
In celebration of Kerstin’s life an open house at 2508 W. Dell Dr. will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Hospice House of Spokane or the Oncology Department at Holy Family Hospital through the Providence Health Care Foundation in Spokane.