Margaret "Peggy" Pine

"Peggy" was born November 6,1942 to John “Jack” and Mildred “Mick” (Gau) Kirschbaum in Harlan, Iowa. She was the oldest of 3 children and grew up on a farm near Defiance, Iowa. There she enjoyed playing in the grove with her sister Judy—until the time they got caught playing with real eggs from the henhouse, biking on her red bicycle, driving the John Deere tractor, bathing with water from the rain barrels, and helping with chores on the farm. She spent her early school years living in town with her Grandma and Grandpa Gau during the week while she attended St Paul Catholic School.

Peggy graduated high school in 1961 and moved to Omaha, Nebraska and worked at Mutual of Omaha. She married James “Jim” Mulligan in 1962. She spent the following years living and moving 27 times in multiple towns, cities and states—including Omaha, NE, Kansas City, MO, Denison and Defiance, IA, and Houston, TX. Three children were born to this marriage, all in different states.  Peggy's family helped her greatly.  Under the circumstances, life was not easy, but whenever she had the chance, Peggy loved getting to watch her brother Bob's baseball games.  Her union with Jim ended in a divorce.

Peggy and her children moved to the Karen Western subdivision of Omaha. It was there that she met Robert “Bob” Pine. Bob lived across the street from her rental home with his sister Bev and her family. He worked at Sidles/Mr Automotive. Soon after, she began to work there also. Many friendships were formed there, including her treasured best friend, Marcene Clarke. It was there that they survived the EF4 tornado of 1975. Sidles was in the path of destruction, and Bob’s car was crushed in the parking lot.

Bob and Peggy were married on August 16, 1975, and moved a few blocks away to their new home on “H” street. Peggy lived in that house for 41 years. There she loved spending time in the yard, always finding peace and joy in tending to her gardens. She had a knack for growing flowers, vegetables, tomatoes, rhubarb, sunflowers, strawberries, and watermelon. She loved giving away things from her garden to neighbors, family and friends. She also loved feeding and watching the birds. She always had numerous bird houses and feeders. Both loves, she continued until the end.

After Sidles closed, Peggy worked at several food distributors until her retirement, including KB Foods and Reinhardt Foodservice. She enjoyed calling on Arby’s and Burger King restaurants.

Bob and Peggy loved attending the children’s and grandchildren’s activities until Bob’s health declined. Bob passed away September 13, 2010. Peggy enjoyed watching her family’s baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball games, attending concerts, plays or other performances. She got to see high school and college graduations. Peggy was so proud of her family and loved to brag to others on what everyone was doing and accomplishing. She loved her family until the moment she passed.

Peggy was involved in Holy Ghost Church working June Jamborees, making food for funeral luncheons, participating in ladies club and bible study. She delivered the neighborhood flyer door to door, getting to know everyone who lived nearby. She loved shopping, especially at Kmart and Baker’s. In her later years, she played bingo, made crafts and went on excursions, including a tour of Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Peggy baked countless loaves of pumpkin bread to share—a recipe that her family now treasures and tries to emulate. They get close but it’s not quite the same. It is missing her love.

Peggy was a devoted fan of Creighton Bluejays basketball and Nebraska Cornhusker football. You could always find her reading the newspaper, watching the weather, the news, and her favorite television programs, especially Heartland.

Peggy died peacefully Thursday, February 27, 2025, with her three children, her sister and brother by her side at Hillcrest Cottages in Omaha, Nebraska, having attained the age of 82 years, 3 months and 21 days. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents, and an infant sister. Peggy is survived by son, Mike Mulligan, daughter Chris (Mulligan) Janicek and husband Ray, and daughter Tracy (Mulligan) Masek and husband Mark; Grandchildren Lynn and Kirstie Mulligan, Kelli (Conor) Lindsey, Colin (Jessica) and Cassidy Janicek, Madison (Collin) Ruehrwein, Abbey and Max Johnson, Kailey and Tanner Masek; Great Grandchildren Cooper Marsh, Landyn and Eloise Janicek, and Meadow Heidenreich; Sister Judy (Larry) Green and brother Bob (Sharon) Kirschbaum.

A visitation for Margaret will be held Friday, March 7, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. A vigil service will occur Friday, March 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 5219 S 53rd St, Omaha, Nebraska 68117.