Lucille Joy Pate, 89, of rural Scottsbluff, passed away Thursday, April 1, 2010, at Regional West Medical Center. As per her wishes cremation was performed at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 9, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Michael Mead officiating. Memorials may be given in her honor to the Panhandle Humane Society. Lucille was born April 27, 1920, to Floyd and Myrtle Childs. She grew up in the Scottsbluff area with her two sisters and attended Scottsbluff Schools. She married Ivan Heiter in 1938. The couple became a family when they welcomed Janet in 1939 and Roger in 1940. They divorced and she later married Alan Walton. The couple added Monte to the family in 1952. Janet stayed with her grandfather to continue her education. The two boys joined the family as they moved to Nevada, Montana, and Oregon in search of employment. They later returned to the Scottsbluff area and farmed for a while until joining the workforce at the Star-Herald. Lucille, husband Alan and son Monte all worked at the Star-Herald. Lucille lost husband Alan to cancer in 1972. Believing that the third time is a charm she married Jack Pate in 1978. Lucille and Jack worked at the Star-Herald until Jack passed away and Lucile retired in 1992 after 20 years of service. She was a true animal lover. She had dogs, cats, horses, goats, cows, rabbits, a raccoon named Coonie, and a guinea pig named Papa. She also loved fish and birds. Lucille loved music and mastered the accordion. She performed in a band for local dances. She played the organ and enjoyed western music. Lucille’s other interests included sewing, raising African Violets, putting together puzzles and watching old western movies. No one fought to live more than Lucille. Even though deteriorating health and blindness she was the queen of her castle and had the true gift of gab. Survivors include her daughter, Janet Nielsen, Ark.; son, Roger Heiter, Okla.; sister, Lorraine Kohout, Fremont, Neb.; daughter-in-law, Biruta Walton, Scottsbluff; nieces, Carol Crossman, Gering, Kathy Divis, Fremont, Karla Hill, Crawford; nephews, Floyd “Bud” Callaham, Wyo., Loren “Harry” Callaham, Kan.; grandchildren, Scott Walton, Scottsbluff, Brian Nielsen, Gering, James Nielsen, Scottsbluff, Clark Nielson, Okla., Kevin Nielsen, Ga., Nan Koch, Okla., Shawn Heiter, Okla., Shane Heiter, Colo.; great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and her three most recent caregivers that saw her though to the end, Jessica Cleveland, Emma Fish, and Tameka Unzicker. Preceding her in death were her parents, sister, Helen Kramer and son, Monte Walton.
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