Etha M. Hitchcock

Etha M. Hitchcock, age 92, of Atkinson, passed away Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Center in Atkinson.

Visitation was held on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, from 3-8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, at the Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Atkinson with Pastor Terry Otto officiating. Music was provided by organist, Deb Kaup and singers, Gordon Hitchcock, Bonnie Krysl and Dr. Robert Randall.

Pallbearers were her grandchildren: Steve, Al, Gordon and John Hitchcock, Natalie Bower, Eric and Scott Kirchmann, TiaLisa Bittner and Suzalyn Bittner.

Burial was in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson.

Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson was in charge of arrangements.

Etha Mae was born on Sept. 6, 1920, to Frank E. and Dorothy (Beebe) Schaaf in Oakdale. She was one of four children.

She graduated from high school when she was just 16 years old. It was during those years that she met the love of her life, George Wright Hitchcock. Etha and George were married on Sept. 6, 1939, in Randolph. To this union a son, Gary and two daughters, Connie and Renee were born.

When they were first married George and Etha lived in Atkinson and later moved to a small ranch north of Atkinson. They moved to Long Pine and in 1946 moved to what would become their home place. In 1949 they were the Atkinson Hay Days "Farm Family." In their later years they moved to a new home just east of Atkinson. George passed away on Dec. 26, 2009, and their son Gary passed shortly after him on Jan. 11, 2010.

Etha was an outstanding cook and baker making wonderful homemade bread and rolls. She was a master at making jellies, especially choke cherry and apple butter. Her sweet pickles could put Vlasic out of business. She loved her rose and flower gardens and was a fanatic "Big Red" fan. She also loved "RFD" country music and Lawrence Welk.

She was a member of the Stuart Community Church and later the Atkinson Presbyterian and the Atkinson United Methodist churches. She was involved in all of these churches' women's circles and she was a member of PEO. She was a member of the Sand Creek Improvement Club for many years and held several offices. She made pies for auctions and was always the first to volunteer. Etha was most proud of having started the Stuart Blood Bank. She and George were both multi gallon donors.

Etha is survived by her daughters, Connie Kirchmann and her husband, Fred of Raleigh, NC, and Renee Bittner of Elkhorn; a daughter-in-law, Bev Hitchcock of Atkinson; a sister, Vivian Hickok of Atkinson; nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; son, Gary; sister, Judith Engler; brother, Billy Schaaf; son-in-law, Gene Bittner; and two granddaughters, Deanna Hitchcock and Stacey Hitchcock.

The family requests memorials be made to the Atkinson United Methodist Church or the Atkinson Fire and Rescue Department.