Marjorie June "Margie"(Cordis) Barent (1933-2022)

  Marjorie June (Cordis) Barent passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. She was 88 years old and living in Lincoln, NE at the time of her passing.

Marjorie was born to Henry Herman and Mary Elizabeth (Abold) Cordis on June 25, 1933, in Thomas County, NE. She was a 1951 graduate of Thedford High School and following that she went to Cosmetology School in Hastings, NE. During her time in the Sandhills, she met a handsome young man named Joe Barent at a dance. She fell in love, and they were married on April 11, 1954, at the United Church of Christ in Thedford, NE.
Joe and Marjorie moved near Lewellen, NE and worked for Clarence Fairchild. After a few years, they moved ‘up on the creek’ and spent 28 years working for Thad Patrick. Here on the Otter Creek Ranch, they raised their three children (Debbie, Tim and Jeff). Marjorie spent time chasing kids, cattle and cooking up a feast. Anyone that came to visit or work on the creek, never went hungry. Marjorie was known for her ‘pinch cooking’ and abilities to feed a crowd.

Joe and Marjorie then bought the Fairchild ranch in March of 1985. They ranched on this homestead from 1985 until their retirement in 2007. In 2007, Joe and Marjorie moved to Valentine, Nebraska to enjoy their newfound free time with friends and family. Marjorie remained in Valentine after Joe passed away in 2011.
In 2016, Marjorie moved back to Lewellen to be close to her son, Jeff. She spent much of her time on the phone with family and friends keeping up to date. She enjoyed watching cattle and conversations about hay prices, the moving markets, and best kept secrets of the farming and ranching industry. She also had great-grandchildren to spoil and cuddle. She loved their visits, artwork, crafts and stories.

In the last year, Marjorie’s hard-working life had started to catch up to her body. She began to need more full-time support and moved into the Oshkosh nursing home for a few months. Then she transitioned to the Lancaster Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln, NE. In Lincoln, Marjorie was frequently visited by her sister, nieces, great-nephew, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved to people watch and talk about days on the ranch.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Mary; loving husband Joe; sisters Mary Weil, Dorothy Hester and Frances Abraham; and brothers Chet Cordis, Jerry Cordis, James Cordis, Dale Cordis and Paul Cordis. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Barent of Oshkosh, NE; son, Timothy (Kathy) Barent of Wauneta, NE; son, Jeffery Barent of Lewellen, NE; granddaughter, Sara (Phil) Haake of Lincoln, NE; and great-grandchildren Leigha and Grayson. Marjorie is also survived by her sisters, Maxine Finney of Lincoln, NE; Charlotte (Sam) Miles of Valentine, NE; Jesse Van Schoyck of Clear Lake, IA; sister-in-law Lavina Sevier of Seneca, NE; brother-in-law Boyd Barent of Lakewood, CO; many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Visitation was held at Holmes Funeral Home in Valentine, NE from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 28. Services Were at the United Church of Christ in Thedford, NE at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, with burial at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Thedford, followed by a light lunch at the church.
Marjorie will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was an amazing wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother.