Carol Jean Buehner, nee Reidel, 95, of Pensacola, FL, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Carol was born on October 21, 1930, in Cleveland, OH, to the late Carl and Lillian Riedel. Following her graduation from West Technical High School, she worked at the local phone company. She met her husband, Alfred Buehner, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends, and they were married on April 19, 1952.

Carol and Al began married life while Al attended Hamma Theological Seminary in Springfield, OH. After his graduation in 1955, Carol joined Al at his first pastoral assignment in Detroit, MI, and followed him as he built congregations in Cleveland and Kettering. Finally, they moved to Columbus, where Al served on the Ohio Lutheran Synod staff. After his retirement, they moved to Navarre, FL to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

One might say that Carol enjoyed entertaining, but she made it seem so effortless that it was a part of her being rather than something she did. She enjoyed sharing her culinary talents with friends, family, and colleagues. Whether she was hosting a dinner party, reception, or backyard cookout, food and fellowship were ever present.

Carol also had a profound love for fashion and the arts. She was a talented seamstress and made beautiful clothes for her grandchildren on many occasions. She and Al spent countless evenings enjoying the Pensacola Symphony, Opera, and Children’s Chorus performances.

Her greatest joy in life, though, was her connection with family and friends. Throughout her life, Carol wrote letters daily to her loved ones. With her children and grandchildren, she shared her talents, time, and attention constantly, but they were most especially felt while she passed down her one-of-a-kind recipes.

Carol is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Alfred, and her sister, Darleen. Carol is survived by her sister, Laverne Mueller (Ron); her three children, Linda, David, and Tim (Randi); her seven grandchildren Anja Shropshire (Patrick), Linnea Karel (Joseph), Nathaniel, Tyra, Stephen, Lauren and Hannah; and three great-grandchildren, Ivolyn, Elin, and Benjamin.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am Saturday, July 11, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4600 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32503.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Paul Lutheran Church, a re-development congregation of the ELCA.