Virgil Dene Buffington, 79, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2024 of complications from Dementia. He was born on October 5, 1944 to Clifford and Anna Buffington. He grew up in Colo, Iowa where he developed lifelong friends, a passion for sports, a love of horses and a dedication to his parents, siblings and the family farm.

Virgil made people laugh with his sense of humor and at times his orneriness. He held his convictions to a level sometimes mysterious to many. He was a staple in the horse pulling community, dedicating the majority of his adult life to caring for and raising horses. He was a hard-worker who never shied away from helping others. His riches didn't come in the form of dollar bills but rather the people he loved, especially his wife of 57 years, Jolene, who passed away just ten months ago. His brother, Mike, held an incredibly special place in Virgil's heart, a place that was left empty and never filled after Mike died in 2001.

Virgil had a group of friends who were as funny as they were loyal. Their stories would make you laugh so hard your stomach hurt. Many of these friends bled Colo blue much like Virgil, with some of their funniest stories being about their high school shenanigans. It was the stories of times past and the memory of Jolene that stayed with Virgil the longest, after his mind was leaving him. His sense of humor was so strong that it, too, was last to go.

Virgil and Jolene were married on August 27, 1966. Together they had two children, Joe and Andrea. Virgil loved watching and supporting his kids in all of their activities. The proudest day of his life was watching Joe and Andrea graduate from college, something he regretted never doing. More than anything, Virgil was a fierce protector.

Virgil is survived by his children Joe Buffington of Blue Springs, Mo., Andrea Peel of Little Rock, Ark.; grandchildren, Kaleb Salmon and Braxton Peel; brother Krandel Buffington; sister-in-law Cindi (Dean) Dueland; nephews Dean (Jeannie) Buffington and Toby (Heather) McCarter; nieces Patty Fraley, LuAnn (Rob) Zumwalt, Sandra (Pete) Oliver, Renee Maceli, Brooke (John) Sanborn and Teran (Josh) Clutts, and several great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

Virgil is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; sister Karol Buffington, and brothers Darwin Buffington, Mike Buffington and Gary Buffington.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Colo, Iowa with burial to follow at St. James Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 12:15 p.m. until 12:45 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, in remembrance of Virgil, we ask that donations be made to Mercy One Hospice or Bickford Senior Living in Ames. His family would like to thank the entire staff at Bickford, and especially Sam Hill with Mercy Hospice.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.