December 22, 1932 – October 26, 2026

Nancy Ruth (Magness) Buechter, 93, of Davenport, IA, formerly of Higginsville, died on October 26, 2026. She was born December 22, 1932, in Kansas City, Kansas. Nancy spent her formative years on a farm in southern Missouri and was educated in Ava, Missouri where she graduated in 1950. She then attended St Margaret’s Hospital School of Nursing graduating as a Registered Nurse, in 1953. While attending St Margaret’s Nursing School, the examples set by her fellow classmates, invoked her to convert to Catholicism. Nancy returned to school in 1973 obtaining her degree in Business Management and Administration from Central Missouri State University in 1979, but Nursing would be Nancy’s lifelong vocation.

Nancy began her nursing career in Warrensburg, Missouri. She met Jim Buechter on a blind date in January of 1954. They were married in October of that same year. Shortly after marrying, Nancy and Jim moved to Higginsville, where they lived, worked and reared their five children. The two of them were members of many community clubs and organizationsover the years but gave of their time and talent mostly to St. Mary's Catholic Church. Nancy spent her entire career in some sort of nursing capacity, whether she was working in an ER (the most challenging assignment and her personal favorite), teaching or in an administration capacity, she could always be counted on for a helpful hand or good advice. She spent her last few years residing in Davenport, Iowa. There she made several friends and even her new friends have great stories to tell about her.

She was employed, most notably, by Johnson County Memorial Hospital, Warrensburg, Missouri as Director of Nursing; Lexington Hospital as an RN and later as the Purchasing Manager. But she worked longest, and retired from, the Higginsville Habilitation Center.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy that will be honored and remembered by her 5 children, their spouses, 10 grandchildren and spouses and 17 great grandchildren. Her family was honored to be able to call her MOM and many family friends will honor and remember her always. Big Nancy was a force in her time.

To honor her life and her legacy: Her children: Teresa Treece (Jody) of St. Charles, Missouri, Mark Buechter (Mary Anne) of Rosamond, California, Paul Buechter (Michelle) of Overland Park, Kansas, Denise Forsyth (Jim) of Davenport, Iowa, Mary Jo Heydt (Tim) of Brentwood, Missouri, 10 Grandchildren: Terra, Sean and Ashley Treece, Aaron Buechter, Daniel and Madeline Buechter, Vana Shay, Amanda, Magness and Andrew Forsyth and 17 great grandchildren.

Cousin: Margia Kitts of Front Royal, Virginia; Sisters in Law: Betty Menges, Mary Thoma and Jan Krumm; Many nieces, nephews and honorary children.

The Rite of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, November 12 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 9:30, followed by visitation until the Funeral Mass at 10:30, celebrated by Fr. Tom Hawkins. She will be buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Charity donations to St.

Mary’s Catholic Church in Higginsville or St. Jude’s Hospital. Condolences may be left for the family at www.kaiserwiegers.com Paid obituary