Mildred (McCarthy) Pinkston, 96, of North Platte, formerly of Arnold, NE., passed away, August 27, 2021 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
Mildred was born February 20, 1925 to Cornelius and Sylvia (Gess) McCarthy at York, NE. She was born at home on the farm 9 miles south of York, assisted by a neighbor lady. She attended the Covent School in York her kindergarten year and the family moved to Eureka Valley (Anselmo, NE.) when she was in the first grade, the teacher advanced her to the second grade because she was ahead of her class. She attended country school in Eureka Valley until the 9th grade and then she attended High School in Arnold, NE., graduating in 1942. While attending school at Eureka Valley her friends nicknamed her “Mick.”
While attending high school, she worked at a hair salon, fixed hair in clients' homes, and worked at the telephone company. After graduating she would ride the train from Arnold to Kearney, NE. to work at the telephone office. Then she transferred to the telephone office in Sargent, NE.
In 1943, she married Gene Pinkston of Arnold at the Catholic parsonage in Broken Bow, Ne. They lived on a farm in Eureka Valley until moving to a farm on Pleasant Hill in Arnold and lived in a sod house. They later moved to a different home on Pleasant Hill and continued to farm until moving into Arnold. Mildred was a hard worker, raising five children, selling Avon, raising a large garden, along with hundreds of chickens, selling the chickens and eggs to local customers, and worked at Varney Drug store in Broken Bow. Mildred was a beautiful seamstress and made all of her childrens' and husband's clothes for years. She made a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses for her niece’s wedding. Also, she made the bridesmaid dresses for her daughter Carol’s wedding.
Mildred was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arnold and was one of the women of the Altar Society that started and worked diligently at the St. Agnes Thrift Store located in the church basement. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and DCCW. She held an office and worked many years with the Arnold Alumni Association.
She was very proud of her Irish heritage and visited Ireland in 2006. Her family and friends were very important to her and she hosted many family and holiday dinners. The Pinkston Farm was always a place to visit and have a great time. She was a devout Catholic and always had a rosary in her hand or nearby. Mildred moved to North Platte in 2017 and joined St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Gene; her parents Cornelius and Sylvia McCarthy; brothers, Dennis, Neil, Henry, Jerry, John, Tom; sisters, Mary, Gertrude, Margaret; sons, Dale, Darrell, Dennis; infant daughter, Catherine; grandchildren, Randy, Lance; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Cody, Wyatt, Brayden, Ashton; daughter-in-law, Merri-Kay.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol (Jerry) Wilson, North Platte; son, Don (Delores) Pinkston, Seminole, AL., grandchildren, Michelle (Julian) Whips, Justin Wilson, Marci (Jeff) Heinzen, Darin (Lorainne) Pinkston, Denise (Craig) Rease, Pete, Ron, Jeff Miller, Kimberly, Melissa, Lisa, Lori, Dawn, and Chad; 34 great-grandchildren, 26 great-great-grandchildren. Along with many other family members and friends.
Memorials are suggested to St. Agnes Catholic Church, Arnold, NE., or the Arnold Cemetery in memory of Mildred. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Rosary will be held 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Josh Brown as celebrant. Burial will be at 12:30 P.M., at Arnold Cemetery, Arnold, Nebraska. Visitation will be noon – 5 P.M., Tuesday, August 31, at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home.
Services will be live‐streamed on Adams and Swanson Facebook. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.