June 26, 1945 ~ December 18, 2025
Thomas Lee Buckley, age 80, of Elma, IA died Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Evans Senior Living Community in Cresco, IA where he currently resided. A Funeral Service will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lourdes, IA at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, with Rev. Telesphore Dusabe celebrating the Mass. Those who knew Thomas well are invited to greet the family from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lourdes, IA, before the Mass. Burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Schley, IA, following the Mass.
Online condolences may be directed to Hugeback & Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton, IA (https://hugebackfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation on behalf of Thomas, to Farm Rescue, and helping farm families in their time of need (https://farmrescue.org/give/).
Thomas Lee Buckley was born June 26, 1945, the son of Garland and Norma (Boyle) Buckley. After attending country schools and graduating from New Hampton High School, Thomas attended Iowa State University to study Agronomy. Upon graduation, he returned to the family farm as a 5th-generation farmer, to not only continue working on the land but also build his own independent farm operation. During this time, at a dance at the Innwood Ballroom in Spillville, IA, Kathryn (Andera) caught the eye of Thomas…and he was smitten. The couple were united in marriage on October 15, 1971, at Holy Cross Church in Schley, IA. Together they built their home, welcomed their three children, Amy, Chad and Todd, and worked side by side for over 50 years to expand and improve the farm they called their own near Elma, IA.
Thomas was defined by his work ethic, honesty, and commitment to his family. It was important to him that he had rightfully earned any success he had throughout life. That philosophy carried over to his mentality as a father. He instilled that doing the right thing and doing the easy thing were rarely the same in life and that if you are willing to work hard, you can accomplish what you set your mind to. Thomas was always determined to give his all in anything set before him, even in challenges later in life. But most importantly, Thomas’s family and farm were the things that truly mattered to him. He dedicated his life to caring for things that grow and took great pride in being a husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and Child of God. Everything else was just details.
Even though his mortal life has ended, his spirit, memory, desire for peace, and family legacy of the land will live on through his three children Amy Buckley, Chad Buckley, and Todd Buckley. He is survived in death by his one granddaughter Miranda Buckley (Chad), and his sister Patricia (Paul) Hibbs.
He is preceded in death by his caring and loving wife Kathryn, his best friend and brother Paul, his parents, and his sister Jane.
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