Obituary of Carole A Kacena

Carole Ann (Buckman) Kacena, died unexpectedly Friday, June 18, 2021, at her home in Iowa City, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, where she will join her loving husband of more than fifty years, Stanley L. Kacena, who preceded her in death. They were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. A time for visitation will be held from 5 to 8 pm on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the funeral home. To honor some of Carole’s favorite things, Hawkeye, Bowling or Chicago Cubs attire is encouraged. Carole Ann Kacena was born December 5, 1934, in Conesville, Iowa to Charles and Irma (Carter) Buckman. She was raised in Conesville until moving to Iowa City at age ten. She was a proud graduate of Iowa City High School in 1953, where she was on the rifle team. Carole was an amazing woodworker, having made several pieces for her own home and assisting all of her children with projects in their homes. She was an accomplished quilter, having made blankets for all of her grandchildren. She was a lifetime Hawkeye fan and avid supporter of the University of Iowa Women’s sports. She was also a huge Cubs fan. Carole was a long time bowler, winning the 2014 USBC National Sapphire Division Double’s Title with her daughter, Casey. She was inducted into the Iowa City Bowler’s Hall of Fame in 2009. She also coached youth bowling for many years, having impacted the lives of numerous children, including her own children and grandchildren. Carole also enjoyed her regular Sunday breakfast at Riverside Casino, followed by some quality time with the one-armed bandit. When she had quiet time at home, Carole loved to work on puzzles. Carole is survived by her children: Larry (Daylene Cox) of North Liberty, Gary (Pam) of Marion, Thomas (Ellen Ramsey-Kacena) of Swisher, Richard (fiancé Kathy McNally) of Swisher, and Casey (fiancé Mike Murphy) of Iowa City; and her grandchildren, Shannon (Brian) Rutherford, Justin (Terri), Samantha, Amanda, Mickey (Jessica), Joshua (fiancé Allison McManus), Beck, Megan, Dylan, Kyle, and Elizabeth Kacena; several great grandchildren; and sister Norma (Ralph) Baughman. Carole was preceded in death by her parents; five sisters, Ruth Solomon, Dorothy McLain, Viola Dotson, Ethel Haughton, and Maxine Lee; four brothers, Lyle, Charles, Donald and Edwin Buckman; and her daughter in law Kim Kacena. Donations in Carole’s memory may be directed to the Iowa City USBC scholarship fund for a youth scholarship in her memory or the University of Iowa Women’s Sports.