Obituaries

February 21, 1921 to May 24, 2019

MEDARYVILLE - Wanda J. Buczek, 98, of Medaryville, passed away at 3:30 p.m., Friday, May 24, at Oak Grove Retirement Village, DeMotte.

She was born Feb. 21, 1921 in Portland, OR to the late John and Selma Chorubski Jeleniewski. She grew up on a small farm on Mt. Talbert in Clackamas, OR. She graduated from Clackamas High School and earned an associate's degree in teaching from Marylhurst College. She married Walter John Buczek on Nov. 25, 1944, in Portland, OR. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by: 
Patricia J. Osbourn, New Hope, PA, Daughter 
David W. (Jean) Buczek, Rensselaer, Son 
Nancy D. (Wesley) Jones, Floyds Knobs, Daughter 
James A. (Sheila) Buczek, Medaryville, Son 
John R. Buczek, Medaryville, Son 
Amy (Mark) Perniciaro Golding, Granddaughter 
Nicole Rogue, Granddaughter 
Regina (Patrick) Sheets, Granddaughter 
Jobina (Brandon) Roberts, Granddaughter 
Marc (Angela) Jones, Grandson 
Adam Buczek, Grandson 
Erica (Jeff) Mandsager, Granddaughter 
Derek Buczek, Grandson 
16 Great-Grandchildren 
Many Nieces and Nephews

She was preceded in the death by: 
Melvin Jeleniewski, Brother 
Casmir Jeleniewski, Brother 
Jerry Jeleniewski, Nephew 

Mrs. Buczek was a teacher and principal at a two-room school house in Lone Rock, OR where the students rode their horses to school. In the early part of World War II, she received special training and volunteered as an enemy airplane spotter over the Pacific Ocean. She was also in the USO where she worked as a nurse's aide, among other important activities and duties. 
She met her husband while he was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. He was the best man and she was the maid of honor in her brother's wedding. They first met on the steps of the cathedral as they entered the church. They were married six weeks later, just before he was deployed to Okinawa. The couple moved to Lowell in 1946 to begin their life in farming and animal husbandry. In 1953, Henry Bush informed them of land available in Medaryville. In December 1953, the Buczeks bought "The Old Horse Ranch" with 360 acres of which only 60 acres were cleared. They cleared an additional 200 acres to build their farm and raise their family. 

After settling into the new home place, and with children at home, Mrs. Buczek was asked to help fill a teaching shortage in Pulaski County. While teaching, she earned a bachelor'sdegree in teaching from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer. She was a grade school teacher at Star City, Medaryville and West Central schools. In retirement, she was active with the Indiana and Pulaski County Retired Teachers Associations. She was a lifetime and very active member of St. Henry Catholic Church in Medaryville (which closed in 2017, at which time she joined St. Francis Solano Catholic Church in Francesville). She enjoyed singing in the St. Henry church choir and with the Pulaski County Extension Chords. She was a member of the National Council of Catholic Women, Polish National Alliance and Medaryville Lion's Club. She enjoyed visiting and playing cards with her friends at the West Side Senior Center. She was an avid supporter of West Central Trojans sports and music, having been recognized as a Trojan "Super Fan." She enjoyed bake sales and BINGO. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, May 29, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. A scriptural wake service will be at 4 p.m., and the rosary will be recited at 9 p.m. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 30, at St. Francis Solano Catholic Church, Francesville, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to the West Central Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.