Marie Pittman Gilge

Marie Pittman Gilge, 94, passed away in Rogers on August 30, 2016. She was born on November 29, 1921 on a farm near McCool Junction, Nebraska, the first of 5 daughters born to Martin J. and Winifred E. (Foley) Layton.

She graduated from Sutton, Nebraska High School in 1939 and taught school for a short time. In 1941, she married Russell G. Pittman. They lived in various military locations until his discharge from the United States Air Force. They had six children, five of whom survive at this time. They also have grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought them lots of fun during their marriage and continue doing that for her now.

After their military life, they made their home in Hastings, Nebraska until 1986, when they moved to Rogers. Russell died in 1988. She was employed by Lindsey Company for several years as an apartment complex manager prior to her retirement.

During their years in Nebraska, she became a beauty operator and owned the Grand Island Beauty Supply for several years. She sponsored many in and out of state beauty shows during this time as well. Various talented beauty instructors would be guests at these shows. They would travel to at least seven states in this endeavor teaching operators all the latest beauty techniques. One of the most popular and newest hairstyles at this period was the beehive, which required a razor cut. The guest artists made many operators more successful by teaching this method.

She was also the examiner for the State Board of Nebraska for beauty establishments for several years. She was the first examiner to be elected to a second term in this capacity. The owner of the most beauty schools in Nebraska wrote a letter highly recommending her for this second term appointment.

In 1997, Marie married Charles Gilge in Rogers. They did a great deal of traveling and enjoyed their families during their 9 years of marriage. Shortly after Charles’ death in 2006, she moved into Innesfree Retirement Village and happily lived the good life!

God Bless America!