Peggy Elaine Buckley

Peggy Elaine Buckley, 89, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, May 12, 2016, at Golden Living Center in Henning.

Peggy was born on December 11, 1926, in Mishawaka, IN, to Robert and Frances (Miller) Packard, one of eight children. She grew up in Racine, WI and Chicago, IL. As a teenager, she studied voice at the Music Conservatory of Chicago, starting her career as a professional singer at WGN Radio in Chicago, but Peggy did not enjoy the lifestyle.

Peggy met Jim Buckley in Chicago while he was attending Optometry School. He was working at a luncheon counter and came out wanting to see who was leaving the pink lipstick on the coffee cups. It was Peggy. They were married on February 11, 1950, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls. Together they had two daughters and a son.

After singing on WDAY Radio and the Partyline television show, Peggy was asked to join the Lawrence Welk Show, but declined because she couldn’t go on the road with two small girls at home.

Peggy graduated from LaSalle University with a degree in Interior Design. Her decorating design business led her to doing design work for businesses, hotels, churches and homes around Fergus Falls and in Orlando, FL.

Peggy was a resident of Fergus Falls, from 1950 to 2000, and from 2006 until the time of her death. After Jim retired, they moved to Orlando, FL, to have fun in the sun and to be close to two of Peggy’s sisters. They returned to be close to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jim passed away in 2008 and after his death, she met Lindy Dewey, who was a special friend and Stephen’s Minister who helped her through some very difficult times. In 2011, Peggy met Gayle Beecher, who was a very special friend and love.

Peggy had a calling to help bring people back to the Catholic Church and back to our Savior Jesus. For many years, she was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls, the Catholic Daughters, St. Teresa Circle and helped out at OLV Catholic School while her girls attended there. Peggy always had a love for the church, entertaining, style, beautiful things, music, singing and design. No one ever left her house hungry.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Frances Packard; her husband, Jim Buckley; a son, Francis “Barry” Buckley in 2011; two brothers; and four sisters.

Peggy is survived by her daughters, Mary (Tim) Morris of Wahpeton, ND, and Beth (Larry) Rudh of Fergus Falls; a grandson, Matthew (Chad Stevenson) Buckley of Bloomington; granddaughters, Erica Morris of Richfield and Cindy (Cary) Lindeman of Mankato; great-grandchildren Grant and Trinity; her special friend, Gayle Beecher of Battle Lake; a sister, Joy Herndon of Orlando, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Friday, May 20, 2016 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Service: 11:00 AM on Friday, May 20, 2016 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Fathers Alan Wielinski and Bill Gamber and Deacon Chuck Kampa
Interment: St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery in Fergus Falls, MN