Elva Mae (McGuire) Buoy, 91

On January 1, 1934, Alex 'Deck' McGuire and Bernice (Jones) McGuire welcomed a baby g irl n amed E lva M ae into their home. S he g rew up i n B assett, alongside six siblings: Ellen, Maxine, Harold, Dorothy, Doug, and Glenda.

Elva graduated from Rock County High School in 1951 before attending Chadron Teachers College to pursue a career in education.

On M ay 2 8, 1 956, s he m arried Jack Buoy a t t he M ethodist C hurch i n Bassett. T ogether, t hey h ad f our children: Diane, Rick, Gayle, and Lori. Their early married life included a tour with the United States Air Force while stationed in Dover, DE. Afterward, they returned to Long Pine, where Jack opened a mechanics shop. Later, they lived in Bassett for a time before moving to Harlan, IA, where Jack was employed by Western Engineering. A few years later, they returned to Long Pine, initially living in an old silver trailer house before moving to the 'Big' house on the corner of Seventh and Elm.

Elva b ecame k nown a s t he ' mother o f a t housand k ids.' I n 1982, they purchased a bar they called The Broken Spur. She was beloved by children and families in the community, and her food and warm hospitality are still fondly remembered by many.

In late f all of 2 022, E lva m oved i nto C ottonwood V illa a nd q uickly adapted to her new surroundings. She kept herself busy with crafts, games, and puzzles alongside her fellow residents. At 91 years of age, it was a pity the kid that got in front of her walker, because you better step it up or risk being run over.

Elva was a member of the Long Pine & Ainsworth Legion Auxiliary for 61 years. She enjoyed going to the Legion to play Bingo, often managing three or four cards at a time, as well as playing cribbage. The White boys say she would do a little 'extra-pegging,' but I don't believe that of her, I think the White boys were just poor losers.

Tragically, she suffered a fall in her apartment and hit her head. On March 5 , 2 025, E lva p assed away at t he Brown County H ospital in Ainsworth, on the same date that her granddaughter, Jessica passed away in 1981 and the day her great-granddaughter, Maelyn Kay was born in 2025.

Elva was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her parents, Alex and Bernice; her granddaughter, Jessica; her brothers, Harold and Doug McGuire; her sisters, Dorothy Wheeler and Glenda Gilliland; and her son-in-law, Randy High.

She is survived by her daughters, Diane High of Ainsworth and Lori, along with her friend Curtis Malone of Long Pine; her sons, Rick and his wife, S herry o f A insworth and G ayle o f L ong P ine; her sisters-in-law, Janice McGuire of Ainsworth and Theresa McGuire of Bowlus, MN; 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth with Pastor Russell Thayer officiating at the s ervice. T he CD s elections “ Old R ugged C ross” and “ I Want T o Stroll Over Heaven With You” by Alan Jackson were played. Casketbearers were Elva’s Grandsons. Honorary Casketbearers were All of Elva’s Other Family & Friends. Memorials were suggested to the family for a future designation. Interment followed in the Grandview Cemetery at Long Pine and condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com