Evonne L. Hicken, age 72, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died onMarch 17, 2020 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on March 27, 1947 in Gothenburg, Nebraska, the daughter of William and Geraldine Slack.
Evonne grew up in Wild Horse Valley and attended Spannuth School and Brady High School, graduating with the class of 1965. She married Garry Hicken on June 25, 1966 in Gothenburg and to this union three children were born: Jennifer, Christopher, and Thomas.
She was a lady of many talents, including photography, painting, and gardening. She loved to make floral arrangements and decorate homes. Her home is a beautiful combination of all her talents. She worked with Garry since 1976, operating Hicken Lumber and Home Center, and in recent years she opened up Finishing Touches, an interior decorating store that was a dream of hers and allowed her to use her artistic ability and love of decorating to bring a different aspect to the lumber yard. Evonne loved to get together with friends including "date night" on Tuesday nights, and the Friday nighys spend together for "Umbrella Night." Family was the most important thing in her life, she loved to travel with Garry, take annual "girls trips" with Jennifer, Alisha, and Britney, or host any holiday that she could. She was the anchor that brought the family together.
Evonne was a member of the American Lutheran Church, WECLA, serving as president for several years, PEO, and the American Lutheran Choir.
Survivors include her husband, Garry of Gothenburg, Nebraska; daughter, Jennifer (Alan) Ballmer of Gothenburg, Nebraska; two sons, Chris Hicken of Gothenburg, Nebraska and Tom Hicken of Omaha, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Alisha Ballmer of Lincoln, Nebraska, Alex Ballmer of Gothenburg, Nebraska, Britney Hicken of Moravia, Iowa, and Cade Hicken of Lincoln, Nebraska; a brother, Billy Slack of Brady, Nebraska; two sisters, Carol Slack of Gothenburg, Nebraska and Beverly (Mike) Troxel of Sutherland, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law Karan (Jim) Smith of Gothenburg, Nebraska and Kristy (Dennis) Henn of Lincoln, Nebraska; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Evonne was preceded in death by her parents, William and Geraldine Slack; in-laws, William and Erma Hicken; sister-in-law, Betty Slack; brother-in-law, Melvin Hicken; sister-in-law Juleen Farnstrom; and niece, Dena Hilyard.
A Celebration of Life for Evonne will be held at a later date. Private family services will be held at the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.blasestrauser.com. A memorial video can also be watched at www.blasestrauser.com.
Memorials may be given to the Women's WELCA at the American Lutheran Church in Gothenburg, Nebraska or to the Central Plains Hopice at PO Box 207, Cozad, Nebraska 69130. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg is in charge of arrangements.