Alexis Ann Kuo

Alexis A. Kuo, age 71, formerly of Everett and Darrington, Washington, died on Monday, July 8, 2013 at Park View Health Center. She was born Alexis Ann Buyeske on May 29, 1942 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the eldest daughter of Walter and Lillian (Mantz) Buyeske Jr.Alexis found her love for the water early on, where she and her sister, Vicky could be heard singing in harmony while rowing their small dinghy along the shores of Lake Butte des Morts. The sisters adopted special names for one another. Alexis was known as "Sam," Vicky was known as "George." Sam and George befriended two ducks named Pinky and Spotty who became faithful companions to the two sisters.Alexis worked her way through school as a waitress and a lifeguard.As a lifeguard she literally returned life to many children through her own breath.After attending Winneconne High School, Alexis married Paul (Nick) Nebel Jr. and gave birth to one daughter, Leisha. Though the marriage ended, their connection to one another remained constant until the end.As an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, she met and later married Alex Kuo, becoming a step-parent to Michael and Stephen Kuo and extended family member Neil Brundage.Throughout, Alexis continued her quest for higher education. She became a post-graduate at several universities, eventually obtaining her K-12 Teaching Certificate from Colorado State and Washington State.After her divorce from Alex, Alexis began a 26-year teaching career in Art and English at Stanwood High School in Stanwood, Washington. There she met Jerry Ricks, and spent a decade with him further exploring the arts, literature and the wilderness. They too parted ways and she came to live with her Self.In the woods, on a river, she built her dream cabin. It was there she planted a forest within a forest and found peace in her sobriety.Alexis was known for her rescue of abandoned cats. Ziggy, Lola, and Zena were among the few she so deeply adored. Alexis learned to play the dulcimer, could yodel, packed a pistol and practiced Tai Chi and Transcendental Meditation. From thrift stores and yard sales she found endless treasures. As a long-time member of the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society she held a profound commitment to the sanctity of our Earth and its Beings. Alexis was an advocate for at-risk teens and supported those who sought connection with their higher selves. She was an exquisite, elegant writer and artist with a quick wit and a marvelous sense of humor: a true goddess creature. Alexis was a fiercely independent, brilliant, tenacious woman who embraced depression throughout her lifetime. Her experience with dementia in the later stages of her existence proved to be debilitating, a devastating indignity that consistently reminded and graced one to remain, present, in the moment. Alexis is survived by her daughter Leisha Nebel Taylor of Oshkosh, WI, her sister Victoria and Dale Bahr of Winneconne, WI, niece and nephew-in-law Kate Bahr and Rob Neumann of Madison, WI, and nephew Adam Bahr of Seward, AK. Alexis is further survived by numerous friends and extended family members, who will miss her dearly.Alexis is preceded in death by her parents.Our deepest gratitude goes out to those of you who helped Alexis and her family along the way. Your support has been immense.For those individuals that work in the Long-Term Care Industry who took advantage of Alexis in her compromised condition: We wish that mercy and forgiveness be shown upon you should you ever find yourselves in a similar vulnerable predicament.The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to Beth Schafer and Bill Wingren for their actions and integrity.We are extremely grateful to Oakwood Manor, Heartland Hospice, and Park View Health Center staff for their exceptional care of Alexis.A private family service will be held.In lieu of donations it is requested that you plant a tree or grow a garden, take time to visit individuals who require institutionalization, read the classics, listen, and discover your ever-present NOW.

Riverside Cemetery



1901 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901