Dorothy Dearborn (Dumbolton) Buckner, 98, of Elkader, Iowa passed away Sunday, August 6, 2023 at the Elkader Care Center, Elkader, Iowa. She was born in Marion, Iowa on March 24, 1925 to Joseph Warren and Dorothy Sarah (Reed) Dumbolton. Dorothy was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
Dorothy was raised in Marion, Iowa, where she met the love of her life – Robert (Bob) Buckner. Dorothy and Bob were united in marriage and celebrated nearly 73 years together. Five children were born to this union: Jim, Sandy, Karen, John and Robin.
Dorothy was a proud and passionate advocate of her family’s wartime military service: writing Bob daily while he served as a Marine on Iwo Jima and during the occupation of Japan, and honoring the memory of her Uncle Bill Reed, an original Flying Tiger. Admittedly “stubborn”, she was a strong and independent woman. She was a fiercely loyal wife of Bob, a coach and school administrator, and was lovingly supportive to all her children.
Dorothy enjoyed gardening, hunting for beautiful rocks, sewing, quilting, knitting and BINGO. The most precious gift of her knitting
talents was a hand-crafted Christmas stocking made lovingly for all family and close friends. Dorothy and Bob were among the founding members of the Elkader Golf Course and members of Peace United Church of Christ. Some of Dorothy’s fondest memories were traveling to Montana and spending winters in Texas.
Dorothy is survived by her children Jim Buckner of Abilene, Texas, Sandy (Tom) Carrico of Oelwein, Iowa, Karen (Dennis) Maggert of Billings, Montana, John (Mary) Buckner of Grayslake, Illinois and Robin (Bob) Zacher of Lake Bluff, Illinois; grandchildren, James (Kathy) Buckner, Kristina Buckner, Matthew (Jami) Carrico, Heather (Rick) Patch, Kristy (Matt) Hamar, Lyndsay (Eric) Whirley, Erin (Harrison) Karlin, Brenna Buckner, Johnny Buckner, Nicholas Zacher and Allison Zacher; great-grandchildren, Preston Buckner, Charlotte Buckner, Haley Carrico, Macy Carrico, Molly Patch, Alexander Patch, Ian Hamar, Miah Hamar, Noah Hamar, Madisen Whirley, Emily Whirley and Noah Karlin; sister-in-law Carol Burns-Zimpfer.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband Robert Buckner; her parents Joseph and Dorothy Dumbolton; in-laws Mike “MJ” and Neola Buckner; sisters JoAnna (Darrell) Athey, Mary Ellen (Bob) Burns and Marcia (Dick) Wiles; daughter-in-law Georgia (Jim) Buckner.
Dorothy and Bob were fortunate to have a cherished neighbor and friend in Mary Lee Witt. Mary Lee was simply an “angel”.
There will be an Open House from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 503 North Main Street, Elkader, Iowa. A graveside service and inurnment to be held on September 30, 2023 at Cedar Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Elkader Depot Fund, 194 Ridgeview Lane, Elkader, Iowa, 52043.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elkader, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.