Eloy Valerio

Donald Meese

Hans Kurt Buettner

Funeral Alternatives of Washington - Tumwater

Mary Ellen Buettner

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On March 18, 2026, Hans Kurt Buettner passed away peacefully with his wife Mary Ellen and daughter, Teresa by his side.

Kurt was born on February 2,1943, in Fuerth, Germany to Irma and Hans Buettner. He was an only child & deeply fond of his Bavarian roots throughout his life. As a young man in Germany, Kurt listened with fascination to the AFN radio network, where he first heard the English language and heard stories of American soldiers. Those broadcasts stirred his imagination and sparked a lifelong interest in America and its people. In 1961, at just 18 years old, while training as an apprentice printer like his father, Kurt was chosen to travel to America through the Methodist Youth Exchange Program. He attended Sunnyside High School and graduated there, forming friendships and memories he treasured for the rest of his life.

Kurt continued his language studies during his time in the German Air Force in Fontainebleau/France and in Munich. His talent & dedication led him into a distinguished career as a translator and interpreter. He worked as a conference interpreter for the Federal Republic of Germany Office of Defense Administration, US & Canada, with assignments at the German Embassy in Washington, DC, NATO and the United Nations. His professional journey included assignments in both Germany and the US, in a supervisory capacity in Ulm, and later as head of the language department in Reston, Virginia. In every setting, Kurt used language not simply as a skill but as a way of building understanding between people and nations. Among the many highlights of his career, he served as an interpreter during both the1972 Munich and 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics!

Kurt's years in Sunnyside always held a special place in his heart, and he attended class reunions whenever possible. At his 30th reunion, he reconnected with Mary Ellen Breece. That joyful reunion started a lasting love story. They were married on September 4, 1993, in Chester, Nova Scotia, and together they created a life filled with love, laughter, family, and country music. Through his marriage to Mary Ellen, Kurt became a beloved Dad & Opa, which brought him great joy. He loved children deeply and welcomed his family with tenderness, warmth and a generous spirit. To know Kurt was to know someone who made others feel included, valued and loved.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Ellen Buettner; her children: Debbie (Joe) Roach, Teresa (John) Hicker, and Donald (Carrie) Meese; his grandchildren: Amanda, Jeromy, Julie, Cameron, Jessica, Sarah, Benjamin, Phoenix & Kalian,12 great-grandchildren; and her sisters; Linda, Carol, and Nancy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irma and Hans Buettner, and his first wife, Marie Louise Bardol.

Kurt will be remembered for his open heart, his friendliness, his love of life and his extraordinary gift for languages. He had a wonderful way of turning strangers into friends and making those around him feel at ease. His memory will live on in the many lives he touched, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

When words can't fully express what we want to say, sometimes a small gift can. Visit our Memorial Store for personalized gifts, keepsake jewelry and to plant a memorial tree.

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Hans Kurt Buettner Obituary | Altogether