Mary (Easley) Buikema passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on October 10, 2024 at Pleasantview Home in Kalona, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024 from 5-7 PM and Saturday 9:30 AM to time of service at Pape Funeral Home in Clinton. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 10:30 AM at the Pape Funeral Home. Burial will follow immediately at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com
Mary was born in Clinton, Iowa on December 30, 1935, the daughter of Joe and Hattie (Malhoit) Easley. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1953. She married Donald (Bob) Buikema on September 5, 1954. He proceeded her in death in 2005. Mary worked as a secretary at W. Atlee Burpee Co. for twenty-one years and later was a homemaker.
Throughout her life, Mary was a wonderful caregiver and a loyal friend to many. She was extraordinarily generous with her love and time, especially with her children and her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for many years where she enjoyed teaching Sunday school and serving on the outreach committee. She also volunteered at RSVP in Clinton.
Mary is survived by two children, Dr. Brenda Buikema (Chad Williams) of North Liberty, Iowa and Bradley Buikema (Amber Empen) of Sabula, Iowa; along with two grandchildren, Spencer (Taylor) Meacham of North Liberty and Payton Williams of North Liberty; one sister, Linda (Steve) Bederson of Lehigh Acres, Florida; her sister-in-law, Shirley Mohr of Sarasota, Florida; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Proceeding Mary in death were her husband, her parents, three sisters, Anne Blinkinsop, Katherine (Kay) Wilson, and Joanne Geary; sister-in-law, Lois Hagge; nieces, Laurie Blinkinsop and Robyn Blinkinsop and nephews, Robert Blinkinsop and Joe Blinkinsop; and brothers-in-law, Bill Northcutt, Leonard (Bruce) Mohr, Bob Wilson, Bob Blinkinsop and LeRoy Hagge.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Paul Lutheran Church of Clinton, Iowa, and Make-A-Wish Iowa. The family would like to thank the staff of Park Vista in Camanche, Pleasantview Home in Kalona, and Iowa City Hospice for the loving care they gave to Mary.
