Mary Bufton

Mary Bufton, 87, of Dell/LaFarge, died Sunday, November 21, 2010. Mary E. Bufton, age 87 of La Farge, died peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on May 28, 1923 to Phillip and Josie (Clark) Cary. Mary graduated from Vernon Co. Normal School and earned both Bachelor and Masters Degrees from U.W. La Crosse. She was a licensed librarian and taught for 30 years. She was united in marriage to Rex A. Bufton on Aug. 17, 1952. During the late 1950s and 1960s Mary pioneered a mail order teachers supply company, The Little Red School House, then one of the first of this type. Mary was a creative and published author, with works including magazine articles, newspaper columns, short stories, plays, educational film strips, and other media products. Following her retirement from teaching, she wrote articles, and sold advertisements for Hidden Valleys Magazine where she made many new friends in her travels around south west Wisconsin. During these years she also taught creative writing for WWTC in La Crosse. Mary was a life long member of the Dell United Methodist Church where she taught both Sunday school and bible school for most many years. She loved to develop and market new products and in 1990 founded Countrywoman Soap taking the name from a newspaper column The Countrywoman she had created a decade earlier for a Fox River Valley publication. This soap company eventually became her hallmark with many people referring to her only as "the soap lady". Mary is survived by three sons, Frank Bufton and Brian Bufton, both of La Farge and David (Cheryl) Bufton of Oklahoma; two grandchildren: Sarah (Ryan) Rossencutter and Allison Bufton; two brothers: Jack (Eunice) Cary of Westby and Eddie (Joanne) Cary of Forest Lake, MN; sister-in-law, Beth Cary of Cashton; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rex, on March 7, 1989 and her brother, Jerold Cary on October 20, 2006.Blessed be our memory of Mary E. Bufton.The family would like to thank Elaine Dewitt and the many others who helped care for Mary over the past several years. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Dell United Methodist Church. Pastor Karen Bankes will officiate with burial in the Dell Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy 14 in Westby. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the service. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family