Don Terry Buche, 81, of Arma, Kansas died April 4, 2025, in Girard, Kansas.
Mr. Buche was born Jan. 31, 1944, in Pittsburg, Kansas to Clarence W. and Ida C. (Albertini) Buche. Don spent most of his life in Arma, where he was raised and attended Arma Grade School before graduating from Colgan High School with the Class of 1962. He went on to study at the Mount Carmel School of Nursing in Pittsburg and Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, becoming a nurse anesthetist. Before his military service, he worked in Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Buche honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He was assigned to the 601 General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan, before transferring to the 43rd Surgical Hospital (MASH) near Uijeongbu, Korea, where he completed his final duty assignment. He dedicated many years to practicing nurse anesthesia at various hospitals throughout Southeast Kansas and the surrounding areas. Most notably, he concluded his career at Girard Medical Center, where he was deeply respected and cherished by many. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Arma and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. He married Julie Postai, and though they later divorced, they remained close friends. He is survived by his son, Ethan (Lisa) Buche of rural Girard; his daughter, Terra (Chad) Stotler of Raymore, Missouri; and five grandchildren, Carter, Holden, and Garrett Stotler, and Maddie and Haley Ginn. He also leaves behind two brothers, Dan (Jan) Buche of Bryan, Texas, and Doug Buche of Upland, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ida Buche, and a brother, Denis Buche.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Arma, Kansas with Father Josh Evans and Father Daniel Vacca as Celebrants. Burial will be at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Pittsburg, Kansas. Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Bedene Funeral Home where the family will receive friends until 7:30 P.M. following the rosary. Graveside Flag folding services will be conducted by the Fort Riley Burial Detail. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice (https://www.hynesmemorial.org/ways-to-donate/#donate) or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (https://themmrf.org) in honor of Mr. Buche. Donations may be sent to or left at the Bedene Funeral Home 517 E. Washington St., Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712.
