Gladys Leona Buckner was born on October 2, 1914 in Eleva, Wisconsin the daughter of Peter and Matilda Johnson. She grew up on the family farm near Eleva and attended Nordin Elementary School. She was Baptized and Confirmed at the Peace Lutheran Church in Nordin, Wisconsin. On April 7, 1931 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Rickey. They worked on her family's farm for a period of time before moving to Eau Claire where they both took jobs working at the arsenal. In 1945 they moved to Little Falls, Wisconsin. Gladys worked at Doughboy Plastics and the arsenal in Bayport, Minnesota. She became a member of the Congregational Church in Amery. Her husband Kenneth preceded her in death in 1969 at the age of 54. Two years later she met and married Joe Buckner. They continued living in Amery and he preceded her in death in 1973. Gladys lived alone for many years in her home and later moved to Oak Brook Apartments. As health issues became a problem she moved to Golden Age Manor in Amery where she was living at the time of her death on December 24, 2009 at the age of 95 years.
Her parents, husband Kenneth Rickey, husband Joe Buckner, sons: Ronald Rickey and Kenneth Rickey; brothers: Palmer and Harry Johnson all preceded her in death. Left to mourn are her daughter: Ruth Ann (Duane) Riley; son Thomas Rickey; daughter-in-law Bonnie Rickey; sister Pearl Cronk; sister-in-law Ethel Johnson;16 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren as well as other relatives and friends. Memorial services will be held on Saturday July 10, 2010 at 3:00 p.m at the Congregational Church in Amery. Pastor Barry Schaefer will officiate and Chris Lindee will serve as organist. Arlen Peterson will be the soloist. There will be a visiting time for one hour prior to the service. The Williamson-White Funeral and Cremation Services assisted the family. www.williamsonwhite.com