Elva Mae (McGuire) Buoy

On January 1, 1934, Alex "Deck" McGuire and Bernice (Jones) McGuire welcomed a baby girl named Elva Mae into their home. She grew up in Bassett, NE, 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 May 28, 1956, she married Jack Buoy at the Methodist Church in Bassett. Together, they had four 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, NE, 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 became known as the "mother of a thousand kids." In 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 fall of 2022, Elva moved into Cottonwood Villa and quickly 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, 2025, Elva passed away at the Brown County Hospital in Ainsworth, NE, 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, Sherry of Ainsworth and Gayle of Long Pine; 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 service. The CD selections “Old Rugged Cross” and “I Want To 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.

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