Buena was born in Douglas Township in Madison County, Iowa, to Andrew and Marie (Klingman) Peterson. She graduated from A.I.B. in Des Moines. Buena met and married Francis "Smokey" Howe in 1940. They lived in the Des Moines area until moving to Indianola in 1958. She was a bookkeeper for her husband's drywall business, 15 years for Hummel's Chrysler in Indianola and worked 10 years as a secretary for the Warren County Administrative Offices retiring in 1986. She enjoyed collecting newspaper clippings, watching her grandchildren play in sports, and volunteered for many community programs. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary and her church circle.

Surviving are her children Joanne (Jim) Weeks of Indianola, Bev (Steve) Hawkins of Des Moines, Rick (Beverly) Howe of Raleigh, N.C., Joyce (Lyle) Vickroy and Garry Howe of Indianola; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Buena was preceded in death by her husband Francis Eugene Howe, her parents, and 3 brothers, Merle, Galyn and Gene Peterson.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 18 at Overton Funeral Home where family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be designated to her church or Hospice of Central Iowa.