Kay Leola Buckles

Kay Leola Buckles of Ericson, Nebraska passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Arbor Care Center in Ord at the age of 92.

Kay was born to Leslie C. and Dorathy H. (Kinney) Jenkins on October 17, 1933, in eastern Wheeler County, Nebraska. She was raised near Elgin, Nebraska where she received her early education at Sunnyside Country School, attend Park Center High School and graduated from Elgin Public School in 1951. Kay continued her studies at Wayne State College where she earned a teaching certificate in Elementary Education.

In the fall of 1954, Kay attended a dance at the Ericson Hall and was introduced to LaVerne Andrew Buckles. The couple was united in marriage on July 31, 1955, at the Elgin Methodist Church. They began their life together, residing southeast Ericson until March of 1958, when they settled on the current homestead. They were blessed with five children, Linda, Sandra, Lana, Audrey and Jerry.

Kay dedicated herself to being a homemaker while also playing an active role in the family farm and cow-calf operation. A pillar of the community, she was involved in the Ericson United Methodist Church, 4-H and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #107.

As a talented seamstress, Kay was known for making the king’s crown for the Wheeler Central High School Homecoming and sewing for local residents. Her favorite project was hosting a booth at local sporting and town events to provide stationery to correspond with local Military Service Members.

Survivors include her four children, Linda Kay Buckles of Ericson, Lana Jo (Mike) Kruml of Ericson, Audrey Joy (Cecil) Smalley of Aurora and Jerry LaVerne (Jenny Nelson) of Norfolk; son-in-law, Kevin Large of Hayes Center; thirteen grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joan Richart of Elgin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, LaVerne; daughter, Sandra Sue Large and brother, Paul Jenkins.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Ericson, Nebraska. Pastor Duane Waddle will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will be held at the Pibel Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Pibel Lake in Wheeler County.

Memorials are suggested to the Ericson United Methodist Church.

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