Jessie C. McCormick, a longtime North Platte resident who dedicated her life to her family, friends and community in Lincoln County, died on April 11, 2024. She was 90.
Jessie was born Aug. 19, 1933, in Loup City, Nebraska, to A. R. Rex and Helen (Fisher) Hoppie. She moved with her family to North Platte in 1945 and graduated from North Platte High School in 1951.
She went to work at the North Platte Municipal Light & Water Department, where she met her future husband, William H. "Bill" McCormick. The two married on May 29, 1954, in North Platte, where they raised two daughters, Patricia and Carol.
Jessie also was known for being a dedicated caregiver: She took care of her mother, Helen, who lived with the family for 11 years. She balanced this, for several years, with caregiving for her mother-in-law, Margaret, and raising her daughters.
Jessie also was an accomplished businesswoman. She worked as a bookkeeper-secretary at First United Methodist Church for 18 years. In 1978, she and Bill established Lazy K Angus by purchasing half interest in 42 registered Angus cows. For 30 years, they raised purebred seedstock cattle, which they sold throughout the area and Nebraska, growing their herd to as large as 130. Jessie kept the business's books and enjoyed working alongside Bill in all their endeavors.
Jessie was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America and a former member of Area 8 Nebraska Cattlewomen. She was very generous with her time volunteering at her church, the Bargain Bin and at the Golden Spike Tower, among other places.
Jessie's family will remember her most for being loving, caring, warm and supportive. They will also remember her quick-witted vocabulary and sarcasm, honed over thousands of crossword puzzles.
In addition to her parents, Jessie was preceded in death by her brother Rex Hoppie and his wife Norma of Parkersburg, West Virginia; brother-in-law Bob McCormick (Sandy) of Thomasville, North Carolina; and her brother-in-law Francis McCormick of North Platte.
Survivors include her husband of 69 years; her two daughters, Pat Mittan of Salome, Arizona, and Carol McCormick (June Focken) of Glenwood, Iowa; her grandson, Kyle Mittan of Tucson, Arizona; her sister, Beth Ann Fairfield, of Glenwood; and her sister-in-law, Sister Rosella McCormick of Louisville, Kentucky.
Memorials suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment.
Memorial services are scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 415 N. Chestnut St. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.