Margaret G. Hickey

Margaret Esther Gallaway Hickey, 98, of Melbeta, passed away on August 3, 2012, after being hospitalized for three days at the Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport. Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 6, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Ron Nuss-Warren officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Friends may visit from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff. A memorial has been established in Margaret’s name and contributions may be made in care of Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel. She was born in Raymond, Nebraska on December 4, 1913. She attended elementary school in Sioux County outside Harrison, Nebraska, junior and senior high in Crawford and Omaha, Nebraska and Margaret attended college at Chadron State where she earned a two year teaching credential. “Margy” married Albert C. Hickey on her family’s Sioux County ranch in 1936. They lived in Scottsbluff and then moved to their own ranch outside of Melbeta, Nebraska in 1943 where she lived for the remainder of her 98 and ¾ years. She had a full and productive life. Margaret sold Life Insurance for New York Life, served as a Red Cross Nurse during the Second World War, taught elementary school in Melbeta, Nebraska and tutored many students in her home; she translated books to Brail for the blind, taught piano and was a cattle rancher who continued to run cattle after the death of her husband. “Margy” was active in her church her entire life, she taught Sunday school and enjoyed contributing to the Church in every way possible. She read the bible from cover to cover five times. When she could no longer make it to the early Church Service she found two services on her television that she rarely missed. She loved to play cards and was active with several card groups until a year ago. Although Margaret and Albert did not have children of their own they became the adored Aunt and Uncle to their nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Margaret traveled all over the country from Texas to California to the East Coast to attend special occasions, holidays and weddings with her beloved family. She will be missed by all of them as well as her many dear friends. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Albert, her parents, Stella and Clyde Gallaway of Sioux County,her infant sister, Ruth, brother, William Clayton; sister Mary Elizabeth Stevens; nieces, Ruth Olson Venger Edwards; Margaret Stevens Shaffer and Robin Stevens. She is survived by her sisters, Stella “Teddie” Olson and Josephine “Jody” Kennedy; Nieces and Nephews: Charles Shaffer; Jack Stevens and Farrah, Rachel Stevens Karunos and Husband; Maya Stevens Upton, Husband and daughters; Jamie Venger Lewis and Janelle Lewis and Kari Lewis Reed and Jeff; Tad Venger and Cheryl and Erica Venger, Emily Venger and Clara Maggie Ruth Venger; Ty Venger and Ilse and Kevin Venger and Kolby Venger; Dori Olson Murray and Bud, Roc Murray and Debbie, Mike Murray and Noelle and Scott Murray; . Kodee Murray, Ric Murray, Rake Murray and Marianne and Chris Murray, Ella Murray and John Gallaway Murray; Bob Stevens, Jolie Stevens, Jobe Stevens and Lola Stevens, and Brendon Stevens; Don Stevens and Pam, Chris Stevens and Family; and Shawn Stevens; Lela Kennedy Criswell and Marvin, Karin Criswell Ruffato and Dominic, and Daniel Ruffato and Sarah Ruffato; Glen Criswell and Liesl, and Sydney Criswell and Abby Criswell; Diane Criswell Frey and Ethan and Melanie Criswell; Bill Kennedy and Nancy, Jared Kennedy and Maggie,and Grace Kennedy, Miles Kennedy, Sean Kennedy, and Faith Kennedy; Morgan Kennedy and Jayden Kennedy and Peyton Kennedy; Avis Kennedy Blaylock and Bob, Erin Blaylock Gull and Carl, and Carl III; and Nathan Blaylock and Fiancée Megan Mizell; Barbara Kennedy Gregalis and Charlie, Kevan Gregalis , and Abby Gregalis Leshikar and Jason and Vivian Leshikar.