Jean Elizabeth Buckman

Jean Elizabeth Moyers was born on April 22, 1925 in Omaha, NE to Walter and Drusilla Moyers, joining her brother Jack, born in 1920. The family was transferred to Milwaukee, WI when Jean was 3 weeks old, and to Denver, CO, when she was 18 months. She grew up in Denver and graduated from East High School in 1943, and in 1947 she graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. She loved her Jewell days and for the rest of her life she kept up with her Beta Sigma Omicron sorority sisters.

She and Orville William ("Buck") Buckman were married in Denver in 1950, and were soon transferred to Wichita, KS, with Texaco. While in Wichita they welcomed two daughters: Kristie born in 1955, and Kathie born in 1959. In 1963 they were transferred to Dodge City, KS, and then moved to Colby, KS in 1969.

Jean was a Girl Scout Leader, sang in the choir, served as an Elder, and was Youth Group Leader in the Presbyterian Church. She was also active in PEO, Shakespeare Club, and Kansas Council for the Humanities. Her hobbies included china painting, skiing, swimming, tennis, reading and bridge.

Buck died in 1985 following a two-year illness, and Jean stayed on in Colby and taught GED classes at Colby Community College. In 1993 she moved back to Denver, living for 30 years at the Heather Gardens Retirement Community.

Although she was a widow for 40 years, she enjoyed a full and active life. She traveled a lot, including participation in 10 Elderhostel/Road Scholar trips; and at age 80 she decided to stop skiing.

She celebrated her 100th birthday on April 22, 2025, and died 5 days later, in Emporia, KS.

She is survived by her two daughters Kristie Adney (Joe) and Kathie Buckman; three granddaughters Meghan Jones (Lucas), Erin Ethington (Ian), Haley Rowell (Forrest); and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Emporia Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm.

Memorials can be made to: the Emporia Presbyterian Church or to the Thomas County Historical Society, Colby, KS.