Mary E. Penick

Mary E. Penick, 82, of Bridgeport, died Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Her funeral service will be held 9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 18, 2009, at All Souls Catholic Church in Bridgeport with Pastor Darren Stroh of First Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Scottsbluff. Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Bridgeport Memorial Chapel in Bridgeport. Memorials may be made to Banner County Historical Society or the charity of the donor’s choice. Mary went to join her beloved husband and best friend, George, on April 14, 2009. She was born on June 9, 1926 and was raised in the Bushnell area, the youngest daughter of Ira S. and Maude (McDonald) Hickman. She was raised on the family farm north of Bushnell and graduated from Bushnell High School, then worked at JC Penney's in Kimball. She married George E. Penick on June 16, 1946 and to this union 2 daughters were born; Linda and Randy Farlin of Springfield MO and Peggy and David Backer of Broadwater NE. They had 53 years together before George passed away on October 26, 1999. They lived in Denver CO, LaGrange WY, and several places in Banner and Morrill Counties where she will be remembered cooking many meals for hired hands, harvest and branding crews. Mary enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, crocheting; every grandchild received a crocheted afghan for their wedding and all sorts of crafts. Mary believed in the 4-H program as she was a member in her youth, helped both daughters through their 4-H years and was a leader of the Sewerettes Club of Banner County for 30 years. Even after she 'retired' several girls in the community would ask for sewing advice. During this time she was the Exhibit Hall Superintendent at the Kimball-Banner Fair for many years. She served on the Banner County Extension Board in various offices, was a longtime member of the Kirkettes Extension Club, the Wrights Extension Club and treasurer of the Banner County Historical Society. When living in Morrill County she joined the Willing Workers Club and the Redington Ladies Bible Study group which brought her many years of enjoyment. Mary's family was the most important part of her life. She and George put on many miles going to all ten grandkids' high school graduations, many, many football, basketball games, track meets, music programs and Christmas programs. Whenever a new grandchild was born Grandma was there to help. Mary is survived by her daughters, 10 grandkids: Jeffery and Penny Kerby of Augusta KS, George and Lori Kerby of Boise ID, William and Robin Kerby of Augusta KS, Albert and Audra Kerby of Boise ID, Eric and Kendra Backer of Gretna NE, Timothy and fiancee Joyce Backer of Sidney NE, Barbara and Tonnie Wiggins of Bridgeport NE, Crystal Kerby and Justin Ealum of Woodland Park CO, Carol Thomas of Ozark MO and John and Andra Backer of Lincoln NE. 21 great grandkids with one more on the way, 4 step-great grandkids; 2 sisters-in-law, Charlotte Hickman and Idora Hickman of Kimball NE and many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband George; parents, brothers Donald and Ira and sisters Alice and Bonita.