The afternoon of July 23rd, 1977 would change Jeff Buikema’s life forever. He was sitting at his favorite watering hole around 4:00pm after a long day at work. He ordered his first round, and out of the window, a young woman was coming down the hill on her motorcycle. As luck would have it, she broke down right in front of Port N’ Starboard. In walked his future, the love of his life, the mother of his children, and his best friend forever. This is the moment Brenda met Jeff, and the two were married on March 25th, 1978 at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.
Brenda was born in Maquoketa, IA on February 18th, 1956 to Robert and Mary Ann (Woods) Tracy. She attended Lost Nation schools until moving to a farm just north of Clinton and went on to graduate from Clinton High School. She worked at Dairy Pak where she met her best friend of all time, Pat Carver. The two hit it off immediately and remained close friends until the end. Brenda was a cowgirl at heart; listened to country music, watched all the westerns, and loved her horses. At a young age, she trained them, and would ride as often as she could. She cared for all sorts of animals, including her family pets, Bailey and Willie, and when younger, Fred, a monkey who on some days could be seen on the back of her motorcycle! Her passions were traveling with family, riding her motorcycle (a member of the local “Hog” Chapter of Clinton), and being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She had a drive like no other, competitive to no end. She taught her children that drive and competitiveness and would often get them to do chores by beating them in fun family games.
On the evening of November 6th, 2023, Brenda Ann Buikema succumbed to Glioblastoma in her home. She was in the loving arms of her husband, who patiently stood by her side and compassionately cared for her during her battle with cancer for over 2 years. Brenda will be lovingly remembered for her sense of humor, empathy, bravery, and unbreakable spirit. She is survived by her husband Jeff; 4 children, Jarimie Buikema and his son Oliver of Santee, CA, Courtney (Jeremy) Peiffer and their children, Anthony, JeVon, Dayvanee, Chase, Rutger, Dylan, and Jada of Blue Grass, IA, Holly (Matthew) Carlson and their children Charley and Stone of Tiffin, IA, and Nathan Buikema of Clinton, IA; and her sister Linda (Robert) Troutman of Clinton, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister Barbra Ann, and two brothers, Bobby and Carson Tracy.
A special gathering will be held at Papes Funeral Home in Clinton, IA on Wednesday November 15th, 2023 from 4-6pm with a brief service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in support of glioblastoma research to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550. On the memo line or on a note attached, please indicate “Gift in memory of Brenda Buikema.