back to home page  

back to KHS Graduates

back to Klemme School

Neva “Ann” VanBuskirk

1935 - 2011

January 31, 1935 - January 18, 2011

Klemme, IA - Neva “Ann” VanBuskirk, 75, of Klemme, died unexpectedly Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. Service will be Saturday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m., at the Klemme United Methodist Church, Klemme. Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed in care of Ann’s family or donor’s choice.

Neva Ann Anderson, the only daughter of David P. and Geneva (Schultz) Anderson, was born Jan. 31, 1935, at Mason City. She attended Klemme schools and graduated from Klemme High School. Following high school she continued her education for two years attending business college in Mason City. Ann was united in marriage to Gerald M. “Barney” VanBuskirk on Feb. 6, 1955, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. The couple’s union was blessed with two daughters, Kathy and Paula, and a son, Gerald Jr.

Ann’s career fields were varied, including times working in the restaurant/hospitality profession at the Golden Goose in Clear Lake, and at the Country Club in Conrad. She had also been employed as a teacher’s aide during the family’s years living New London, Ohio. She was also employed at Dr. Alder’s Chiropractic office in Forest City for a time. Ann also rode “shotgun” on many of her husband’s trucking trips, where she went by the handle of the “Blonde Bomber.” She and Barney had done some traveling and had been to Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Hawaii, and other places as a result of awards from his sales career. Her children also reflect fondly on family excursions to Minnesota.

Ann’s family and her grandchildren were first and foremost in her life’s focuses. She strived diligently to provide her children with a warm and nurturing environment while Barney was out on the road making a living for the family. Her home always had and open door policy for her many “adopted” children and grandchildren. Both she and Barney enjoyed their many adopted family members in the community. In earlier years, Ann enjoyed showing and riding horses. She loved raising flowers and was especially fond of roses. She loved her cats; a favorite was her buddy Sam. Ann had also been a Cub Scout leader and Sunday school teacher. She was a member of the Klemme Grandmother’s Club, Klemme American Legion Auxiliary and in her years in Ohio she was active in the Order of the Eastern Star, serving for a time as Matron. She will be remembered for her straightforward attitude, her love of her family and young people and of course her wit and unique sense of humor.

Ann is survived by her children, Kathy and companion Bob, Rogers, Ark., and her children and their families, Tanya (Allen) Jarchow, and their children, Allison, Abigail and Aiden; Nicole (Dan) Kies and their children, Raven, Alexis and Austin; Jeanie Farr and her children, Zain and Isiah; and Rick Thurman and his children, Kelsey, Jake, Ashley and Luke; Ann’s daughter, Paula (Gary) Kruse, Minot, N.D., and their children and families, Mandy Henderson and Trent; April and Raymond Lockhart, and their children, Kristen and Diamond, and Kelly Kruse and daughter, Fiona; Ann’s son, Gerald VanBuskirk, Jr., Klemme, and his daughter, Jessica VanBuskirk and her four children. Also a sister, Helen Roths, Klemme, and her family. Also surviving are her adopted children and grandchildren, Mike (Patty) Graham, Cody, Sierra, and Lacey; Clay Kilgore, Charlie Nygard, Neal Conrad, Mike Pannoff and David Gouge.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Gerald “Barney” VanBuskirk, Oct. 10, 2009. Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme.


source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 21 Jan 2011

************************************************************