Elizabeth "Buffy" Veber

Elizabeth June “Buffy” Veber, 76, of Newton, IA passed away July 15, 2026 at Park Centre in Newton. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Buffy was born March 25, 1950 at St. Francis Hospital in Grinnell, IA to Hoyt and Wilma (Graham) Veber. She grew up in rural Kellogg, IA and started elementary school at Miller country school between Newton and Kellogg, then moved on to Kellogg Elementary/Junior High School in Kellogg. Buffy graduated from Newton High School in 1968. She attended the University of Iowa and later graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with an associates degree in horticulture. She lived in Mitchellville, IA for a number of years before moving to Newton in 2017.
Buffy was a beautiful person inside and out. As a teenager, she was a hair and clothing model in Des Moines, IA. She was kind and had a big heart. Buffy cared deeply about strays - animals and humans alike. She doted on her nieces and nephews when they were young, and on her grand-nieces and grand-nephews when they were little. One of her favorite activities was attending the Iowa State Fair for multiple days each year and had a State Fair pin collection spanning over 25 years. She was also an avid Minnesota Vikings fan.
Buffy’s main love in life was working with plants and flowers. After gaining her associates degree in horticulture, she worked for a number of years at Nick’s Greenhouse in Pella. In the mid-90’s, Buffy was hired as a horticulturist for the City of Des Moines – the first female horticulturist employed by the city. In addition to her duties at the Botanical Center, Buffy was in charge of the design and planting of flowers and plants that were on display at Union Park and Greenwood Park, as well as along Fleur Drive. Buffy’s work could also be found in Nollen Plaza, at the Des Moines City Hall, and along the riverfront in downtown Des Moines. After retiring from the City of Des Moines in 2010, Buffy worked as an active volunteer at the Kellogg city library and Kellogg cemetery for several years.
Buffy is survived by her sisters, Nancy (Vic) Geiger and Cindy White both of Scottsdale, AZ, and Julie (Todd Carlson) Rose of Naples, FL; her brother, Will (Cindy) Veber of Davenport, IA; and a sister-in-law, Mary Helms of Newton, IA. She is also survived by her nieces Kristin Geiger and Sara Geiger both of San Francisco, CA; Amanda (Shawn) Gymer of Grimes, IA; Elizabeth Graham (Pat) Sullivan of Newton, IA; Sara (Bernardo) Escribano of North Liberty, IA; and nephews Nate (Lori) White of Alamo, CA; Tyler White of Phoenix, AZ; and Eric Patters of Lowden, IA; as well as grand-nieces Laek Sullivan, Remy White, Lily and Mabel Gymer, and Bianca Escribano; and grand-nephews Sean Sullivan and Alex Escribano. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Pat; and a brother-in-law, Terry L. Rose.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks and appreciation to Dr. Pat Edwards, the Garden View staff at Park Centre, and the nurses of Wesley Hospice. Memorials in Buffy’s memory can be made to the Kellogg Historical Society, P.O. Box 295, Kellogg, IA 50135.

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