Alberta Oatman

Alberta Grace (Fletcher) Oatman 88, died October 16, 2015 at Chadron Community Hospital. She had suffered a broken hip on 9/2/15 and later pneumonia. Services will be held Tuesday, October 20th at 2:00 pm at the Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron, Nebraska in Dr. Russ Seger officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Chadron. Alberta was born in Ainsworth, Nebraska on May 7, 1927, to Albert and Grace (Hollopeter) Fletcher. She was the oldest of five children with four younger brothers. Alberta lived her entire childhood at Willow Lake Resort, north of Halsey. She attended grade school in a rural country school. Her first two years of high school, was by correspondence courses at home. As a high school junior she attended the Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska. Her senior year, Alberta attended Ainsworth High School and graduated May of 1945. She then obtained her teachers degree and taught in local country schools, often riding her horse to school. Alberta also performed in a band with her brothers as the lead singer and could play most instruments. May 7, 1947 she married Robert (Bob) Oatman and changed her career to ranch wife. In the early year of marriage, Bob and Alberta were ranch managers for the Drybread and Arrowsmith ranches. In 1955, the Oatmans partnered in purchasing the Swanson ranch north of Rose. In 1960 they became part owners of Sargent Livestock CO and moved to Sargent. In 1962 they moved to Thedford, and built the Brandin' Iron Western Wear and later owned the Arrowhead Lodge and Cafe. In 1990 they purchased a ranch north of Morrill, and lived in Mitchell. In 2006 they retired and moved to Chadron. On July 28, 2011 Alberta lost the love of her life after 64 yrs. of marriage. Alberta is survived by daughters Roberta "Bert" (Dick) Lesher of Chadron and Connie Huckfeldt of Chadron. Alberta was blessed with five grandchildren; Wade Lesher of Half Moon Bay, CA; Lane Lesher of Chadron; Jami Huckfeldt and (Tish Hier) of Mitchell NE; Joni (Steve) Behrends of Chadron, and Jodi (Andy) Hendrickson of Chadron. Five great-grandchildren; Kyler, Jacksyn, and Beau Behrends and Trey and Cali Hendrickson, along with other extended family. Alberta was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert (Bob) Oatman, and Brothers Marion, Glen, Ed, and Clarence. Alberta was a devoted wife, mother, and grandma. Alberta loved her flowers, bowling, playing cards, spending time with family and friends and was a savvy business woman. A memorial account has been established at the First National Bank of North Platte. PO Box 511 Chadron, NE 69337�½�½ �½�½

Service:

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 ~ 2:00 PM

Chamberlain Chapel ~ Chadron, Nebraska