Angelica Bixby

Angel’s life began in Grand Island, Nebraska, on June 12, 1971.  She passed away on June 24, 2019 at her home in Chadron, Nebraska.  At a young age, she moved with her family to the Sandhills near Ellsworth, Nebr, where her parents, Steven & Diane Beck, were working on a ranch.  Throughout her childhood, Angel became a cowgirl and horse lover as all young women do who are exposed to the equine beast.  When she became old enough, Angel started school at a nearby rural schoolhouse.

After here family moved to the Pleasant Point Community, the Pleasant Point Community Church easily became her church home.  Angel attended Golden Rule School in the country until she went to Gordon High School in Gordon, Nebr, as a freshman.  Later, Angel attended Anselmo-Merna High School where she excelled academically and where she participated in sports.  Her academic excellence led to her scholarship at Chadron State College.  After attending classes at CSC for two years, Angel married Jim Schmit.  In 1992, to this union their son, Dakota, was born.  Soon after they moved to the Bixby Ranch.

In 1996, a daughter, Sierra, was born to Angel and Lance Bixby.  The two married and became partners in many ranch activities.  Together they enjoyed camping, fishing, jet skiing, and the occasional tent blowing away in the wind which led to the purchase of their 5th wheel camper.

As Dakota and Sierra grew up, Angel became a leader of Girl Scouts, 4-H Club, and was the president of the Sheridan County 4-H Council.  She was also a teacher for AWANA Club at Pleasant Point Community Church.  While Angel greatly enjoyed volunteering her time to help with various youth organizations, her true love was working with cattle on the ranch, especially first calf heifers.  She spent her springs calving the first calf heifers mostly on her own.  Once in a while she would let someone help, but it was mostly her domain.  Angel also had chickens for many years and was called upon to judge 4-H chicken projects at the county fair.  She also loved to garden.  She took particular pride in her salsa that was made from her home grown tomatoes, peppers, and onions.  Angel also loved reading and had a great interest in studying her family history which led to her becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Angel is survived by her husband, Lance Bixby; children, Dakota Schmit and Sierra Bixby; step-children, Jen Sanders (Craig Sanders), Lindsey Bixby (Kendra Bixby); step-grandchildren, Layne Bixby, Kinley Bixby, Caelyn Sanders, and Brynnlie Sanders; parents, Steve and Diane Beck; siblings Justin Beck and Jason Beck (Rebecca Beck), numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and her beloved dachshund who was at her side until she passed, Odie.