Lana C. Buckley

Lana C. Buckley, 72, of Dayton, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2013, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Lana's wishes were to be cremated. Visitation will be Thursday, February 14, 2013, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Carson – Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton. For online obituaries & condolences visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Lana was born 6-3-1940 in Laurens, IA to Vernon Ferguson and Clarice Rudshagen. One of five children, Lana graduated from Perry High school in 1958 and shortly thereafter married Max Coleman Buckley on 6-22-1958. They lived in Perry, Ogden and Des Moines before moving to Dayton in 1966, where they found home. She was mother of Bradley Buckley (Lori), Brenda (Willy) Nitsch, Robert Buckley and Christine Starbuck.

Lana and Max ran Buckley & Busch Mfg in Dayton Iowa for many years. She had a full life constantly surrounded by those she loved and loved her in return. Her home was always open, and her heart, like her home, was always welcoming. It didn't matter if you were a stranger when you entered, you were family when you walked out. She was known as Mom to a multitude of people and was always there to lend a hand, give advice and financial support and a place to stay, be it one night or many.

Highly active within the Dayton community, she served on the Dayton Celebration Committee and was instrumental in bringing the circus to Dayton so that Max could race an elephant down Main Street (he won by the way).She also introduced, supported and produced a Community Theatre to Dayton for several years and headed up the "Adopt a Pothole Program" for citizens to help repair Dayton's roads. A tremendous supporter of the Dayton School Disctrict, she was very proud of assisting the reestablishment of the speech department at the DHS. She and Max supported both the arts and sports departments.

Lana found her true calling when she became a Grandmother. She was very active in her grandchildren's lives. They were her pride and joy. She was never so happy as when one or many of them were running around the house.

Lana, simply put, was a fighter. She didn't quit fighting even when the odds were against her. She fought many a year against all types of hurdles. Alas, all fighters get tired, the fight too long. The spirit might be willing but in the end her body, not her spirit, yielded. The evening of February 10th, Lana passed away with her family surrounding her.

She is survived by her husband Max, her children Brad, Brenda, Bob and Chrissy. Her grandchildren, Doug and Dixie Summers, Patrick Nitsch, Logun Buckley, Cheyenne Buckley, Dakota Buckley, Sabastian Buckley, Robby Buckley and Samantha Starbuck. Her great- grandchildren Wyatt and Logan. Her extended family Lutricia Wirth, Sudhish and Caelan Madhavan , Kevin and Janis Diehl, Samantha (Haub) Scott, her girl J and her hero Trevor McCarthy. Special mention to Dawn Elifrits and Dianna Gollob for the love and care they gave their aunt. Her older brother Keith Ferguson (Swede) and his wife Mary and younger brother LaMont Ferguson (Boy). The number of people who touched and were touched by her is too many to be listed.

Lana was preceded in death by her parents Vern and Clarice Ferguson, older brother Rance Ferguson older sister Gwenna Groff, and daughter- in- law Lisa Buckley.