Gwendolyn E. Dickenson, 86, of North Platte, NE passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at Linden Court.
Gwen was the third child born to Blanche (Zalesky) and Clarence “Bud” Howitt on August 5, 1936. She spent her entire childhood in Chappell, NE, graduating with the class of 1954. After working a year, she then attended Kearney State Teacher’s College for 2 years. She taught 1st grade in Paxton, NE for the following 3 years.
She was united in marriage on June 26, 1960, to Wayne V. Dickenson in the Methodist Church in Chappell, and two children were born: daughter Marcy and later a son, David. Gwen taught in the North Platte school system from 1960-62. While raising her children she was a boy scout and campfire leader and taught Sunday school. She then went back to school receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Kearney College. She taught first grade in North Platte elementary school and remained until her retirement in 1996. She was nominated for Who’s Who of American Teachers and received a Lifetime PTA Membership. Since retirement Gwen enjoyed volunteer work at Great Plains Health, playing golf, fishing, sewing, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in North Platte, and a charter member of the retired active teacher’s society.
Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Wayne; daughter, Marcy Jenkins; brother Dave Howitt; sister Judie Harrington; and a grandson, Tucker Jenkins.
Those left to cherish Gwen’s memory are her son, David Dickenson; granddaughter, Kaylee O’Connell and husband Michael O’Connell; son in law, Greg Jenkins; brother, Dr. Doyle Howitt of Kearney; special friends, Mike and Jane McCrone, Gaye Fudge, Kathy Reifschneider, Deb and Stan Mumm, and Robin Brown; as well as all her church family and friends at First United Methodist Church; and several nieces and nephews.
Gwen will be buried privately next to her husband at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery near Maxwell, NE. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorials are suggested in her memory to First United Methodist Church.