SUZANNE “SUE” LOUISE BUFFINGTON, age 86, of Luverne, died Thursday, November 30, 2017, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. She was born September 23, 1931, in Lincoln, NE, to William and Veola (Rucker) Stuckey. She graduated from Holy Name High School in Omaha, NE and attended Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS, where she made a promise and commitment to live her life as an Oblate Novice of St. Benedict.

   After marrying Richard Dean Buffington, on November 21, 1953,
at Holy Name Catholic Church in Omaha, NE, the couple lived in Omaha, NE: Kansas City, MO; Atlantic, IA; and Lincoln, NE before moving to Luverne in 1965. Sue stayed home to raise their eight children, before she helped start the Rehab Department at the Luverne Community Hospital in 1977, from which she retired in 2000, after 23 years.

   She was a 62 year member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, currently as a member of the St. Maria Court of Adrian, where Sue served as the Court’s Grand Regent in 2016.  Sue was an active member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, as a member of the LCCW, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Catechism Teacher, RCIA Team, and started Prayer Shawl ministry. On October 12, 2014, Bishop Harrington awarded Sue the Bishop’s Medal for her outstanding record of involvement in the life of the diocesan and local Church. Sue was also a member of a Sewing Club, the Pink Ladies and volunteered with 4-H, Meals on Wheels, and the Sanford Hospital Gift Shop. She enjoyed golfing – shooting a Hole-In-One in 2010, bowling, traveling and leading the Rosary at the nursing homes.

   Sue is survived by six children, Mary (Curt) Jervik, Hawarden, IA; Mark (Teresa) Buffington, Farmington; Ann Owens, Richfield; Jean (Doran) Christoffels, Chandler; Diana Buffington (Doug McGuire), Hills; and Lynn (Von) Russman, Lino Lakes; sixteen grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; sister, Mary Catherine Orr, San Ramon, CA; sister-in-law, Dorothy Saunders, Denver, CO; and a special cousin, Sheila Schlaebitz, Omaha, NE.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; two sons, David and John; brother, William Stuckey; brother in-law, Roger Orr; and nephew, Charlie Orr.

   Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Monday, with parish prayers at 7 pm, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. Visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Tuesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church, in Luverne, officiated by Fr. Thomas Jennings. Burial will be in the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.

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