Mary Caroline Dickinson

Mary Caroline Dickinson

MINATARE - Mary Caroline Dickinson, 92 died Jan. 28, 2011 at her home on the family farm. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday Feb. 2, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St Agnes Catholic Church with Father Vince Parsons as Celebrant. A private family inurnment will be held at a later time at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. Rosary service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Jolliffe Funeral Home Chapel, there will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials may be made to the Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy or the Mary Dickinson Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jolliffefuneralhome.com Jolliffe Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mary was born May 27, 1918 in Box Butte County to Alexis Edward and M. Barbara (Singer) Gerhard. Mary graduated from Chadron State College, working her way through college teaching in rural schools and was secretary for Ernest Borglum, who built Mt. Rushmore. She was united in marriage to Laurel Dickinson on Aug. 12, 1949 in Hemingford, Neb. They were partners in the family farming operation near Minatare, Neb., from 1950 until her death. Mary taught in Nebraska panhandle schools for 43 years. Mary attained "Teacher of the Year" award in 1988, and was loved and remembered by the students she taught. She was an author, publishing a book about growing up on a homestead. Mary loved to crochet, making everyone in the family afghans and doilies with her own unique patterns. She won several awards and had numerous articles written for her exceptional abilities in quilting and cooking. She was an avid gardener and loved to see the flowers bloom in the spring. Mary also liked to read, travel and collect stamps from all over the world. She continually bragged about her grandchildren.

Mary was a devoted member of St. Agnes Catholic Church. She was a lifelong 4-H Leader, judging many county and State 4-H contests. Mary was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the HOPE Club. Mary was very creative and a skilled artisan with a passion for teaching her talents to younger children encouraging them to succeed at whatever project they chose.

She is survived by her son Robert Dickinson of Minatare; daughters Patricia (Donald) Ryan of New Prague, Minn. and Mary Ann (Mike) Davis of Burlington, Colo.; Son-in-law Jim Kruse of Lance Creek, Wyo.; Grandchildren James (Katherine) Kruse, Joe Kruse, Megan, Amelia, and Gabrielle Ryan. Also numerous nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Her parents, husband Laurel, two daughters, Linda Kruse and Barbara Dickinson, as well as three brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.

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