Ida Mae Buckingham Van Baale was born to Rev. Benjamin and Flossie Buckingham on May 25, 1919 in Prairie City, Iowa and was called to her heavenly home on February 6, 2017 at the age of 97. Ida Mae attended Brown School through eighth grade and graduated from Prairie City High School in 1936. She attended William Penn College, McPherson College, and finally completed her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at Drake University in 1966. On May 24, 1942, Ida Mae and Howard Van Baale were united in marriage by her father. Family was very important to Ida Mae. She and Howard had four children, and Ida Mae stayed home with them until the youngest was in school. Ida Mae had always wanted to teach kindergarten. She finally achieved that dream and taught in the Prairie City School district for 17 years. Ida Mae was a very active member of the Prairie City Church of the Brethren, where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Women's Fellowship. She was also very involved in her community. She collected dolls and toys throughout the year and distributed them to needy families at Christmas time, which earned her the title of "Mrs. Santa Claus". She often visited sick or lonely friends and neighbors. Ida Mae, enjoyed sewing doll clothes, quilting, making dolls and greeting cards, grew beautiful flowers and tomatoes, and loved children. She also took classes to be a disaster child care worker and Hospice volunteer. After being widowed, Ida Mae joined Brethren Volunteer Service for a year at age 67. She had many adventures during this time, the most exciting of which was having former President Jimmy Carter for a Sunday School teacher. Ida Mae spent most of her year in BVS at Jubilee Partners in Comer, Georgia, where she taught English to refugees from Central America. Ida Mae had a very close, large extended family, most of whom preceded her in death. She suffered the loss of her husband in 1986 and daughter, Sheryll Ownes, in 1996. Ida Mae is survived by her children, Carol Meador, Kirk Van Baale and his wife, TC, and Kaye Roskam and her husband, Doug; son-in-law, Jim Owens, her brother, Orville Buckingham; four grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends, and her church family. Memorials may be sent to: Brethren Volunteer Service, Box 188, New Windsor, MD, 21776-0188 or Prairie City Church of the Brethren, 12015 Highway S6G, Prairie City Iowa 50228

Visitation

Coburn Funeral Home of Prairie City 201 S. Marshall Prairie City, IA 50228 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Service

Prairie City Church of the Brethren 12015 Hwy F70 W Prairie City, Iowa 50228 Burial will follow at Griffis Cemetery 11:00 AM