A Lasting Stitch: Honoring Carlene Rae Buck

Nestled within the native prairie at the Nodaway Valley Historical Museum stands a new piece of art—a larger-than-life tribute to a woman whose threads of creativity, kindness, and community are forever woven into the fabric of our story. This installation, is based on one of Carlene Buck’s many treasured quilts, chosen by her siblings to honor her years of selfless service to the museum and her lifelong passion for quilting.

Carlene Rae Buck, a Coin native, was not only a prolific and talented quilter—creating over 400 quilts in her lifetime—but also a devoted steward of history and culture. After a successful career that spanned education and the insurance industry, she returned home and immersed herself in local life, serving faithfully on the museum board, volunteering at the Carnegie Art Museum, and enriching community life through her deep love of genealogy, women's advocacy, and the preservation of heritage.

Carlene brought beauty, comfort, and meaning into the world through her quilts. She believed that every quilt told a story—of family, of memory, of place—and she took great joy in crafting pieces that connected the past with the present. Whether gifted to a friend, donated to a cause, or displayed with pride, each quilt carried Carlene’s thoughtful touch.

In that same spirit, be sure to take a look at the back of the installation. True Carlene fans will recognize a signature touch—an homage to the often-overlooked side of her quilts. Carlene’s quilt backs were famously bold, busy, and bursting with personality—sometimes even more expressive than the fronts. It felt only right that this piece, too, would have two sides: a tribute not only to her quilting style, but to Carlene herself—layered, vibrant, and full of unexpected joy.

We invite visitors to experience this quilt in a new way—anchored in nature, glowing in the prairie light, and stitched into the legacy of Nodaway Valley. Through this tribute, Carlene continues to wrap our community in beauty, warmth, and love. Her memory remains a guiding thread in the tapestry of our shared history.

Dedicated June 5, 2025

The Nodaway Valley Historical Museum