Pamela Jane Buck

Pamela Jane (Mosher) Buck, 71, Chariton, Iowa, passed away Monday, December 11, 2023.  A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Pierschbacher’s Funeral Home, 914 Roland Avenue, Chariton, Iowa 50049. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to her grandchildren’s college funds. 
 
Pam was born July 20, 1952, to Merrill E. and Loyciene D. (Baber) Mosher. She was the third child and first girl to bless her parents' union. Joining older brothers Ted and Merrill E. (Ed) Jr. Ted, Ed and Pam welcomed the fourth and final child, Tim, to their family. Growing up with three brothers on the farm lent itself to Pam’s wisdom and strength. They had many animals, including dogs, cats, goats, cows, birds, pigs, ponies, horses, and even amphibians. Some were considered pets, and some were not. The amphibians, for example, may have been used in “experiments.” All for the sake of learning, I am sure. Lots of crazy shenanigans ensued, stories for another time, not good fodder for an obituary I am told, but I digress. As Pam grew out of her formative years, sports became of greater interest, mainly softball and basketball.  However, softball soon fell by the wayside as the season conflicted with many area horse shows. Pam was passionate about showing horses, so this was a no-brainer.  The colder months were spent on the hardwood, playing the infamous 6-on-6 Iowa Girls Basketball. Another lifelong passion.   After an amazing high school career at SouthEast Warren (SEW), Pam graduated in 1970 and went on to play for one year at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. The 1971-72 Bearcat Women's basketball team was later inducted into the Northwest Bearcats Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002, with a 9-2 record and as the MAIAW Champions with wins over Graceland (twice), Kansas State, Missouri State, Truman, and Central Missouri among others. Following her second year at Northwest Missouri State, Pam returned home to Milo where a serious courtship began with a young Navy man; a classmate since 5th grade, Martin Buck. What initially began as an exchange of letters culminated in wedding vows on April 14, 1973. Quickly thereafter, the newlyweds moved to Concord, California, as Martin was to be deployed to the South Pacific during the Vietnam Conflict. Once Martin was discharged from the Navy, he and Pam moved to Des Moines, Iowa where Pam took a position with Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Martin pursued a Bachelor’s Degree from Drake University. Additionally, Pam babysat part-time for the children in her church nursery to save money for a horse.   In 1978, the young couple relocated to Green Mountain, Iowa, where they rented a country home that allowed Pam to welcome her beloved black gelding, Mister. Pam continued to commute to Des Moines, until her resignation in early 1979 from BCBS. Pam and Martin welcomed their only child, Andrew, on May 31, 1979.
 
The following spring, the family of three moved to the apartment above the Mosher Funeral Home in Chariton, where Martin took a position as a funeral director with the family business. Pam’s passion for showing horses continued; taking a multitude of weekend trips to Murray, Osceola, and many points beyond. Among Pam’s many treasured blessings, was the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom throughout Andrew’s school years in Chariton. Upon Andrew's graduation, Pam held positions with Hy-Vee and the Chariton School District. In 2017 and 2018, Pam was blessed with her “Grandies,” Gwendolyn Rose and Sterling Edison. Holding them was the proudest moment of her life, and she cherished every opportunity to do so! Pam went on to retire in 2021, after 21 years of service, from her position as Payroll and Insurance Specialist, with the Chariton School District. Unfortunately, the following two years were quite tumultuous and brought a decline in health. Drawing upon her strength and her love for her family, Pam fought hard. She was determined to see her “Grandies” grow up.  
 
Pam was preceded in death by her parents Merrill Edison and Loyciene Donna Mosher, father-in-law Warren B. Buck, a brother Merrill Edison (Ed) Mosher, Jr., and special D.U.P.R.A. sister Julie Rockman.
 
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Martin J. Buck, her son and daughter-in-law Andrew W. and Stephanie A. Buck, her “Grandies” Gwendolyn Rose Buck and Sterling Edison Buck, brother Ted (Terri Deuser) Mosher, brother Tim Mosher, sister-in-law Boya Mosher, mother-in-law Marjorie Buck, sister-in-law Cathy Marker, sister and brother-in-law Peggy and Bruce Williams, sister-in-law Lori Buck, nephews; John Mosher, Tony Mosher, Nick Mosher, and Shane Stotts, nieces; Nicole Housman, Amy Bitner, and Amanda Schneider, a host of great-nieces and nephews and amazing friends.  Two of her very best friends and sisters Deb Payseur and Jo Fisher survive on to carry the Dolled Up Previous Round Ballers Association (D.U.P.R.A) to the next level.
 
Death comes for each of us; Emily Dickinson in her poetic lines captures this final moment gently and poetically. “Because I could not stop for Death -/ He kindly stopped for me -/ The carriage held just but Ourselves -/ And Immortality.” Sad though the moment is, the carriage came for Pam on December 11, 2023. May Pam’s “Immortality” be our loving memories and her legacy.