Frances Buckley, age 101, of Sac City, IA passed away Thursday Dec. 2, 2021 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll, IA surrounded by family and friends. Frances was born on May 19, 1920 in Sac City, IA, the daughter of Hans Jacobsen and Maggie Wiese Jacobsen. She was raised on a farm south of Sac City, attending public school near Sac City. Frances was baptized on May 19, 1944 and confirmed on May 21, 1944.
Frances graduated from Sac City High School in 1937. She then continued her education at Iowa State Teacher’s College, now the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where she earned her teaching qualifications. Frances taught for nine years at various country schools in the Sac City area.
Frances was united in marriage to Raymond P. Buckley on July 28, 1946 at the United Methodist Parsonage in Lake View, IA. They became the parents of one daughter, Pamela, and then grandparents of one granddaughter, Cortney. Later, Frances was employed as the secretary at Pfister Associated Growers for nine years. She was an avid reader and enjoyed painting, calligraphy, scherenschnitte, and other crafts.
Frances was a member of the Sac City United Methodist Church and also Historian of the United Methodist Women. She was very proud to have reproduced the history of the church in calligraphy, which is proudly and prominently displayed in the Sac City Methodist Fellowship Hall.
Those who remain to cherish her memory include her daughter Pam Dunsmore of Carroll, IA; granddaughter Cortney Ragsdale of Huntersville, NC; great-grandchildren: Kylie and Maci Ragsdale. Other survivors include nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.
Frances is preceded in death by her parents; husband Raymond on March 28, 1998; sisters and brothers-in-law: Mildred Buckley and husband Dana, Marjorie Burk and husband Roger, Dorothy Moore and husband Keith, Mildred Jons and husband Vern, Marge Buckley and husband Bob, Christina Buckley and husband Earl.
An excerpt written by Frances Buckley from “Ring In The Memories” published through auspices of State of Iowa’s Friends of the Museum
Country School
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”
There was something magical about the little old country school. When school convened in the fall, I remember the different fragrances of sweeping compound, chalk, and the freshness of the newly washed and starched white window curtains.
We had all grades from primary through the eighth grade. The teacher had to be a juggler or a magician to work all the classes into a daily or a weekly schedule.
The worst of times — we didn't have much in the way of material things with which to work. Everyone tried to buy used textbooks for their children and some didn't have books at all. Their parents deemed shoes more important than books, and they could not afford both. It seemed that there were always generous classmates who shared their books. Workbooks were unheard of at that time.
We sprinkled the sweeping compound on the floor to control the dust and swept everyday. One spring morning I accidently put up the flag upside down. I didn't know it at the time, but this is a distress signal (we had no phone in the school.) Without realizing it, I had summoned three farmers from their field work. I guess that would qualify as my most embarrassing moment as a teacher.
Before a student could enter high school, eighth graders had to pass a state test over all subjects. The previous seven years were in preparation for this examination. No one slid by without knowing how to read, spell, figure, or learn geography facts. A student could fail just by having poor penmanship. This state examination motivated all eighth graders to do their best. If they failed to pass the tests, they were required to repeat the entire eighth grade. Plus it was shameful to them. Many a pupil said silent prayers while waiting for the results of the examinations. Oh, Yes! Prayer was favorably looked upon in the school. In fact, each school day began with a prayer and our pledge to the flag.
