Sara May Buckman passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2020 having celebrated her 100th birthday in July. Private family services were held at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Rev. Anthony Ahrendt as officiant. Interment took place at Belfield Lutheran Cemetery. The family will hold a Memorial Service at a later date.
Sara May was born July 9, 1919 in Belfield. The daughter of Alanson and Cora (Bingham) Owen, she grew up on a wheat farm near Zenith. Special memories were travels on the train to Michigan and barn dances at the Owen farm. At 18 she moved to Dickinson and worked at the Woolworth’s Store. She married William “Bill” Buckman on August 5, 1943 in Wibaux, Mont. She returned to the Owen farm to help take care of her dad while Bill was overseas. When Bill returned to the states, Sara May spent the next few years helping nurse Bill back to health in military hospitals.
Sara May made lifelong friends whether it was childhood friends at the Army hospitals, a move to Mandan and Medora with Bill’s job on the railroad, helping run the family business Buckman Plumbing and Heating, or at church. She kept family and friendships alive writing letters, Christmas cards, phone calls, and coffee party visits. Bill and Sara May enjoyed a cruise to Alaska, bus rides to many places around the United States and a trip to Germany with Friendship Force. They were supportive and caring of each other throughout the good times and bad.
Sara May was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Belfield. She was a member of the Billings County Historical Society. A memorable moment was a one-to-one visit with singer Danny O’Donnel at the Norsk Hostfest concert in Minot. Her favorite part of the day was going to Trappers Kettle to see friends. Going for rides through Theodore Roosevelt National Park was a favorite pastime. She enjoyed music and dancing and loved people, always welcoming folks with her warm hospitality.
Sara May is survived by her son, Irvin (Glenda), Belfield,; daughters, Diane Buckman, Belfield and Ruth Molm, Belfield; granddaughter, Harmony Feldman (Jess) McCullough, Duluth, Minn., great-granddaughters, Cora and Sigrid; grandson, William Robertson, Bloomington, Minn.; grandson, Jon (Stacy) Jespersen, St. Louis, Mo., great-grandchildren, Samantha (Tanner) Konradt, St. Charles, Mo., and Nick (Lindsay) Jespersen, great-great-grandson, Nolan, St. Louis, Kate Jespersen, Springfield, Mo., and Madison Jespersen, St. Louis; step-grandson, Chad and (Mindy) Butcher, Cody, Wyo., step-great-granddaughters, Allie and Bella; step-grandson, Shayne (Theresa) Butcher, Havre, Mont, step-great-grandchildren, Evan and Emily; and many nieces and nephews; a lifelong community of friends and neighbors.
She was preceded in death her husband, William; her parents; children, Julie and Billy; sisters, Gladys (Louis) Hurt, Fern (Frank) Ulschak; brothers, John (Caroline) Owen, Glen (Helene) Owen, and Lewis (Jeanette) Owen.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests monetary gifts to a soon to be established memorial in memory of Sara May.
