Eugene E. Buch

After a brief interlude with pancreatic cancer, Eugene "Gene" Ernest Buch, age 79, passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He was surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 6, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fairfield, with a prayer service following. Funeral services will be held at St. Mary's on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Stephen Page officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church. Cards and memorials may be sent to 1829 Brookville Rd. Fairfield, Ia 52556.

Gene was born on September 17, 1930 to Leo and Geneva (Adrian) Buch. Gene attended school in Keota, Iowa until 1942 when he and his family moved to Jefferson County. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1948. He began farming after graduation and was inducted into the Army in March 1953. He was stationed in the United States and Germany and was honorably discharged in March 1955. Upon his discharge, he returned to farming and married Helen Agnes Turek from Glen Lyon, PA, at St. Mary's Church in Fairfield. They continued to reside on their farm, raising their four children, to the present time.

Gene was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fairfield, the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus. He was also affiliated with the VFW, the American Legion, the Elks Lodge #1192, the Red Power Tractor Association and the Wayland Tractor Club. Restored IH tractors were a favorite hobby of his and every year he exhibited at the Old Thresher's Reunion in Mt. Pleasant. Gene enjoyed taking many tractor tours across the countryside. He and his wife hosted the Annual Vintage Dodge Power Wagon Rally for many years. Welcoming more than 300 Power Wagon friends was a joy for Gene.

Gene loved being creative in his machine shop and had many achievements to share with friends. He was a gadget exhibitor for many years at the Jefferson County Fair and the Iowa State Fair. He later served as a judge for these events. After retiring from farming, he worked on various landscaping projects and enjoyed himself, attending auctions and collecting toys and antiques.

Gene will be greatly missed by his wife, Helen, their two sons, Scott and David, daughter Barbara (Danny) Miller, all of Fairfield and daughter, Laura of New Sharon, Ia. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three step great-grandchildren. Gene's extended family includes three brothers, Lloyd (Kay) Buch, Leonard (Joan) Buch and Keith (Joanne) Buch, all of Fairfield and two sisters, Evalee Mickey of North Liberty and Donna (Don) Shelangoski of Springfield, Mo.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Bernadine Sheetz and two brothers-in-law, Horace Sheetz and G.W. Mickey.