Janette Louise Buckbee ( Ahrens, December 10, 1925 – April 24, 2016), also known as Deedee Ahrens, was an American figure skater.
Life and career Ahrens was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota on December 10, 1925. She attended the University of Minnesota during the 1940s. Ahrens competed as both a single and pair skater, first with partner Robert Uppgren and later with Arthur Preusch. She also competed in fours with Uppgren, Mary Louise Premer, and Lyman Wakefield Jr. and won the 1941 North American title. They were called the "St. Louis Four" and were the first team in history that defeated Canada. After becoming a professional skater, she taught skating.
Ahrens married Norman Simmons DeCoster in 1947; they divorced and she married Allen Buckbee in December 1985. During the 1970s, Ahrens lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but later resided in White Bear Lake. She died in Mahtomedi, Minnesota on April 24, 2016, at the age of 90.
Competitive highlights
Ladies' singles
Event 1941 1942 1943 1945 1946 1947 World ChampionshipsHines, p. 22 6th North American Championships 2nd 3rd U.S. Championships 9th J 2nd J 3rd 2nd 2nd 2nd
Pair skating (with Uppgren) Event 1942 1943 U.S. Championships 2nd 2nd
(with Preusch) Event 1944 U.S. Championships 2nd
Four skating (with Premer, Uppgren, and Wakefield) Event 1941 North American Championships 1st
References