Zelda F. Pickering

Zelda Pickering, age 95, of O'Neill, passed away Thursday afternoon, Jan. 10, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Center in Atkinson.

Visitation was held on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, from 5-8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, at The Assembly of God Church in O'Neill with Rev. Mike Durre officiating. Music was provided by organist, Deb Frederick and soloist, Loren Pinkerman.

Pallbearers were Derek Pickering, Zach Pickering, Kent Pickering, Tristan Nemeth, David Pinkerman, Paul Spoon, Sam Middleton and Blake Pickering.

Interment with graveside services were held at 2 p.m. at the Dorsey Cemetery.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill was in charge of arrangements.

Zelda Fay Pinkerman, eldest daughter of John and Nora (Doty) Pinkerman, was born on March 7, 1917, in Meek. She grew to adulthood in the Scottville area of Holt County graduating from Lynch High School in 1933 as valedictorian of her class at the age of 16. She taught rural school in Holt County for two years.

She married Claude Earl Pinkering of Redbird on Jan. 8, 1936, in O'Neill. To this union five sons and three daughters were born. Claude and Zelda lived all their married life on the Pickering Farm south of Lynch, with the exception of one year spent in Anaheim, CA.

In 1968 Zelda began working in the dietary department at the Niobrara Valley Hospital in Lynch where she became the dietary manager. She retired in 1981 and moved to O'Neill after the passing of her husband in 1985.

Zelda is survived by her children, Stan Pickering and wife Florence and Monty Pickering and wife Sue, all of Corona, CA, Vic Pickering and wife Eileen of Lynch, DeLynn Pickering and wife Connie of Irvine, CA, Marlene Pickering and Darla Pinkerman and husband Del, all of O'Neill, VaLaura Middleton and husband Kevin of Lincoln; daughter-in-law, Joan Jones and husband, Allan of Vancouver, WA; 18 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Pinkerman of O'Neill and Vera Johnson of Butte; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Claude; one son, Quintin Pickering; one daughter-in-law, Irene; one brother, Virgil and one sister, Doris.

Memorials may be made to the Niobrara Valley Hospital in Lynch.