A Celebration of Life for Alta Dean Bufe will be held on Friday, May 29, at 2:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Priddy, Texas, with Pastor Randy Southerland officiating. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery under the direction of Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home in Goldthwaite, Texas.
Alta Dean Bufe’s story began on April 30, 1929, in Burnet, Texas, where she was born to Alton and Mazie Runnels. Over the next 97 years, she built a life rooted in faith, family, hard work, and a love that stretched across generations.
In November of 1947, Dean married the love of her life, Pete Bufe. Together they built a home full of love and raised four children. When Pete passed away, Dean was only 33 years old, she faced life with incredible strength and determination, raising their children on her own and never remarrying. Her family remained the center of her world for the rest of her life.
She loved Jesus with all her heart and was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Bedford, Texas, beginning in the early 1960s. Her faith guided everything she did. She believed in caring for others, checking in on people, feeding anyone who walked through her door, and making sure nobody ever felt forgotten.
And if you knew her, you knew one thing for certain …. absolutely nothing was going to waste. There was always frozen milk, frozen bread, frozen leftovers, and yes… even frozen pizza tucked away “just in case.” She believed every little thing could be used another day, and honestly, she was probably right most of the time.
Family gatherings were her favorite. Easter, Thanksgiving, and especially Christmas at Nanny’s house became treasured traditions filled with laughter, crowded tables, and enough food to feed everyone twice over. One of the highlights for the grandkids was when Santa would magically show up for Christmas .. sometimes played by her gardening buddy, and eventually, to the kids’ surprise, sometimes by their own dad. Looking back now, those moments became some of the funniest and sweetest memories the family will always hold close.
Dean or Nanny.. also had a fun and adventurous side. She loved square dancing and was a proud member of the Spares and Squares Dance Club in Dallas, Texas. Alongside her dear friend and dance partner, Jim Reinhold, she traveled across the United States making memories and enjoying every step along the way.
Gardening was one of her greatest passions. She loved growing vegetables and generously sharing them with family, friends, and neighbors. Many happy hours were spent outside with her special friend, Al Dunlap, dreaming up their next gardening project together.
Inside the home, Dean’s hands were always busy quilting and crocheting. She lovingly made quilts for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, hoping everyone in the family would one day have something handmade by her. Every stitch carried warmth, comfort, and love. Her final quilt was given to Briley, a gift that will forever hold a piece of her heart. Though not everyone got one, they’re sure big enough to share a family snuggle under and to be passed down generations!
On May 21, 2026, She peacefully went into the arms of Jesus at the age of 97 years and 21 days old. She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, her beloved husband, Pete; her brothers, Sammie, Howard, and Glendon; her son, Kenneth; and her daughter-in-law, Tammie. As she always said, “everyone I love is already there waiting for me.”
She leaves behind a beautiful legacy through her daughter Linda Henderson and her husband James, of Duncan, Oklahoma; her son David Bufe of Hurst, Texas; and her daughter Kathy Kaich and husband Wes, of Cleburne Texas, along with 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren, and one more precious blessing on the way.
While her family here will miss her deeply, they can smile knowing She is probably already busy in Heaven, tilling and tending to God’s garden full of the most beautiful divine fruits and vegetables, checking on everyone around her, and maybe even keeping Heaven’s freezer stocked with leftovers “for later.”
Her life was one of faith, strength, generosity, humor, and unconditional love, and her story will continue to live on through every life she touched.
Goodbye Dean, Goodbye Mom, Goodbye Nanny, Goodbye Friend, until we see you again.
