Cara Ruth Perkins

Cara Ruth Hutchinson Perkins, 78, died at her home on April 26, 2016. The celebration of her life will be at First Presbyterian Church, Scottsbluff, on June 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Ron Nuss-Warren and Rev. April Fiet officiating. A private family inurnment will take place at Fairview Cemetery prior to the service. Tributes may be left at www.dugankramer.com

Cara was born in Lincoln, NE, January 3, 1938 to Birdie and D. E. Hutchinson, she was baptized June 19, 1938, and confirmed April 4, 1948.

She was a Lincoln Northeast High School graduate, 1955; married Tom Perkins September 8, 1957. Cara attended UNL School of Home Economics 2 years; attended Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, TX and graduated from Texas Woman's University, with a B.S. in Child Development, 1959; received K-8 Teaching Certificate from Nebraska Wesleyan University; Master’s in Special Education University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1992. She taught elementary and special education (Learning Disabled, Emotionally Disturbed) classes for 33 1/2 years in Dallas, Texas; Fontana, Kansas; Omaha Westside, and Scottsbluff, NE. She was cited as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year 1975 for Council for Children with Behavior Disorders. She received the Peter Kiewit Foundation 1989 NE Teacher Award Excellence in Classroom “Science Boxes” projects. In 1992 she was the Outstanding Technology Project NE Dept. Ed., Runner-up NE Teacher of the Year for Science Project, and in 2013 she received the Rho State Achievement Award Delta Kappa Gamma. In 2015 Cara was honored by the WNCC Alumni Association with the Meritorious Service Award for her efforts in establishing the WNCC Alumni Association.

She was a member Alpha Chi, Pi Lambda Theta, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Delta Kappa Gamma NSEA/AARP Retired Teachers, Nebraskans for Peace, and the Multi-Cultural Book Club.

Cara’s violin career began at age 6, on a $12 Sears catalog violin, teacher Miriam Bratt, Pawnee City, Nebraska; at age seven, she studied with Geralyn Bennett, Violin Professor, Nebraska Wesleyan University, when her family moved to Lincoln; she a gave 9th Grade Violin Recital; she was the Lincoln Northeast High Orchestra Concert Mistress 4 years; her senior recital was the Lalo Espangole with the Northeast High orchestra; she was a member Nebraska Wesleyan String Ensemble; played for Wesleyan and Pinewood Bowl musicals; was a member U. of Nebraska Orchestra, Lincoln Symphony, and Panhandle Symphony. Played with Chip Davis (Manheim Steam Roller Director) in Omaha; was concertmistress with composer/director John Rudder. Her goal was to share God’s love and joy through music. She often played unaccompanied so people could hear just the violin and wrote many original arrangements and descants.

Cara helped organize intergenerational Chamber String Group to give young people musical opportunities. While teaching at Roosevelt Elementary, she started a Piano Program. For 18 years, volunteer teachers gave student’s lessons. Children practiced and took lessons at school. It was very exciting and touched many lives.

She had many responsibilities in various churches that Tom served as pastor. They started and led a Grief Support Group. Cara directed Youth & Adult choirs and musicales, played organ/piano. She started and chaired for 18 years, 1st Methodist Church Caring Circle, based on Mother Teresa’s wish that all people will know they are loved before they die. Members visit or write monthly to shut-in or lonely people.

Cara recognized opportunities to start projects to benefit others:

as Chair Education Committee West NE Art Center, started summer classes, children’s theater; started Council for Exceptional Children group for western NE Special Education Teachers, served on Nebraska Council for Children with Behavior Disorders Advisory Board, presented workshops for UNL State Education Training Series in Classroom Management Techniques, Engineered Classroom, Learning Centers, Pairing Signing and Reading, Wellness, Individualizing Instruction.

While teaching, Cara wrote, and helped write, and received $206,986 in Grants for Science, Technology, Energy, Literature, Music, and Heritage for Roosevelt Elementary School students.

Cara helped start Cradle Catchers, a Delta Kappa Gamma project to help mothers understand the importance of reading to their children. Each baby born at Regional West Medical Center receives a bag with a book, brochure, bookmarks, & coupon good at 30 Panhandle Libraries for a Read to Me Sippy Cup. Over 6,000 books have been given to babies!

Cara helped organize and lead Stocking Stuffers Investment Club for 8 years, Organic Garden Club and Multicultural Book Club. Wrote Family History Stories/Genealogy.

Her numerous 4-H projects included: State Fair Dress Revue runner-up, Purple Ribbon demonstrations, judging, Song Groups; 4-H leader, attended National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago twice as State Health Winner, and Sectional Winner in Achievement. In 1956 was 1 of 4 representing NE at National 4-H Camp in Washington DC. 4-H helped prepare her for life to “Make the Best Better” for all!

Survivors include: Husband Dr. Tom Perkins of 58 years; Son Tom Perkins II of Scottsbluff, wife Susan, and their children Miner, John, Elle; Son Lance Perkins of Lyman, WY, wife Rita, and their children Leslie & Alby Nunez (St. George, UT), Hope & Caleb Moore (Salt Lake City, UT), Matthew (St. George, UT). Sisters: Marlene Robinson of Ames, IA; Erwina Peterson of Yakima, WA; Brother David Hutchinson of Rose, NE; several nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Judy Floyd of Lincoln, NE., and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents: D E and Birdie Hutchinson and step mother Frances Runty Hutchinson, and her sister Marjorie Jane Englekemier of Kansas.

Cara requested that rather than sending flowers, she would suggest that gifts be made to the WNCC Foundation or to the Cradle Catcher, Books for Babies project.