Donna M. Buckley

Donna Marie Buckley, 92, died peacefully Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at MercyOne Medical Center, Mason City, holding her daughter Jane’s hand.

A funeral mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Rev. Josh Link officiating.  Burial will take place in Clear Lake Cemetery.

Visitation was held on Monday, Nov. 13, from 4-6:30 p.m., with a scriptural wake service held at 6:30 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.

Memorials may be directed to Smile Train or St. Jude’s Children Hospital in memory of Donna.

Donna was born Oct. 26, 1931, to William H. and Viola M. (Davenport) Dempsey.  She graduated from Goodell High School in the class of 1949.  On July 2, 1949, she was united in marriage to Howard Boller, he died on July 15, 1950.  Donna married Maurice Buckley on April 26, 1952; he died on Aug. 21, 1998.

Donna was active in Music Mother’s at Ventura Schools. She worked at Ventura Schools in the lunchroom, media center and helped drive for special-needs students.  Donna was active at St. Patrick Catholic Church as a reader, Eucharistic Minister, with RCIA and became a Lay Minister, which she was very proud of.

Donna later worked at Medical Arts Pharmacy and Cash Wise Pharmacy.  Her most treasured job was being visitation hostess at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel for 20 years.  Donna was perfect for that position even when Dano told her to “stay on that greeter’s rug!”

The pandemic changed Donna and she moved in with Jane and Ron in August of 2020, where she lived until the time of her death.

Donna’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends, she loved morning coffee with the Aquabelles.  Her faith was very important to her.  Anyone who knew Donna enjoyed her hugs, infectious laugh and good humor.  She will be missed by so many.

Donna is survived by her children, Gary (Loretta) Boller, Blanchard, Okla., Mary (J) Michael, Brownsville, Texas, Mark (Connie) Buckley, Mead, Colo., Jane (Ron) Trampel, Clear Lake, Bill (Charlie) Buckley, Loveland, Colo., Nancy (David) Geiler, Dacono, Colo.; grandchildren, Troy (Amy) Gray, Joanna (Brian) Southard, Tracy (David Zombar) Gray, Joshua (June) Boller, Jennifer Reysack, Jamie (Kyle) Jones, Kelly (Wade Johnson) Buckley, Derick (Carly) Stadler, Gabriel (Chelsea Barnett) Buckley, Peyton (Collin) Wheeler, Josephine (Justin Hollis) Buckley, Sarah Trampel and Chase Geiler; step-grandchildren, Les (Bev) Trampel, Kim (Kevin) Buffington, Jon (Melissa) Trampel and Kaila Geiler; 20 great-grandchildren with one on the way; 10 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Patricia Dempsey; along with many beloved nieces, nephews and many cousins.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; siblings, Robert (Ann) Dempsey, Paul Dempsey, and Elizabeth (Don) Byrnes; great-grandsons, Tanner Southard and Justin Anderson.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.

View online condolences at www.colonialchapels.com