Alice Leona Buckingham

1919-2016

Alice Leona Buckingham, 96, of La Mesa, California, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2016 of natural causes. She was born in Parshall, North Dakota, to Fred and Emma (Miska) Klesalek, and grew up on the family farm. After graduating High School in Parshall, she joined her sisters in California, and helped raise her nephews Brad and Jim. She moved to Long Beach and married James “Buck” Buckingham. She began working as a sales clerk at See’s Candies, the start of a career that lasted more than 50 years, retiring as Regional Manager for the entire West Coast.

After Buck passed, Alice moved to Spring Valley to live with her sister Audrey (Toodie). She joined the Catholic Church and became an active member of the Seniors Club, Saint Vincent De Paul, and Eucharistic Ministry. She also spent many weekends volunteering in Balboa Park as a member of the Czech club. After Toodie passed in 2012, she moved to a Senior Living Community in La Mesa, and made many new friends there.

She was a beloved aunt, cousin, and friend to all that knew her. She will be remembered for her generosity, beautiful penmanship, sense of style, independence, and always, her sense of humor.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Karolyna, De Illa, Blanche, and Audrey; and brother James.

Funeral: Tuesday April 5, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Santa Sophia Catholic Church, Spring Valley, California.