- Date Of Birth: September 29, 1923
- Date Of Death: October 24, 2021
- State: Iowa
(Ellen) LaRue Buihner, 98, a lifelong resident of Des Moines, Iowa died Sunday October 24, 2021 after a long and joyful life.
She was a loving woman, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by children: Leanne (Des Moines), Steve (Ann) (Nevada City, CA), Jill (Rick) (White Salmon, WA) and Susie (Scott) (Minneapolis, MN); grandchildren: Daniel (XinRu) (Wuhan, China), Ben (Nevada City, CA) and Walker (NYC); and the darling newborn great granddaughter Chloe Jill (Wuhan, China); brother, Richard (Jan) Gregory (Vermillion, SD); sister-in-law, Norma Gregory (Fort Madison).
LaRue was born in Des Moines on September 29, 1923 to parents James and Gayle Gregory. LaRue described her childhood as “wonderful”, growing up with two younger brothers Jim and Dick. She was very close to her grandparents, who lived in their family’s home. Her grandfather was a great storyteller and her grandmother shared her gift of home-cooked meals.
LaRue attended grade school at Henry Sabin Elementary, junior high at Warren Harding Middle School, and graduated from North High School in Des Moines. LaRue began working as a young woman for Equitable Life Insurance.
LaRue met her first husband, Lee Davis, when she was introduced to him by mutual friends. At the time Lee was in the Navy during World War II. Lee worked for Cownie Cadwallader Furs as a salesman, prior to owning a hardware store.
After she married, she was a dedicated full-time parent. Family was always very important to LaRue. In fact, it was the most important thing to her. After Lee bought Uptown Hardware at 42nd and University, she and Lee worked together to make it a successful business.
After Lee’s death, LaRue became reacquainted with Norman Buihner, whom she knew as a friend beginning in grade school. They became re-acquainted at their 50-year class reunion, fell in love and got married.
LaRue has been a long-time and loyal member at Grace Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School. LaRue enjoyed reading, watching movies, playing card games, going on picnics, spending time outdoors, and listening to music such as Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Frank Sinatra whom she saw live at the Val Air Ballroom.
LaRue loved people. She went out of her way to be kind and interested in those around her. She developed many friends and people loved her back.
