Loretta Brickner

On Thursday, March 30, 2023 Loretta Hope Brickner passed away at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home. She was 92 years old.

Loretta is survived by her children, Evelyn and husband John, Steve and wife Gail, and Justin and wife Sue, grand children Alicia and husband Seth Letterly, Joshua and wife Chelsea Brickner, Hadley Brickner and Annie Brickner, great-grandchildren Makenna and Jaxon Letterly, and Grace and Eleanor Brickner, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, parents Ethel and Henry Wiltse, and thirteen brothers and sisters.

Loretta was born November 19, 1930 in Michigan and graduated from Alma High School in Alma Michigan. She played steel guitar in a band with her sister Norma, playing at dances and other engagements. She continued playing in bands with husband Wayne in Nebraska after her marriage.

She met her husband Wayne while he was on a three-day pass with his Army buddy who was engaged to her sister Norma. Loretta and Wayne were married in Ithica, Michigan May 10, 1953. Together they had three children and operated the Brickner Family Ranch near Chadron, Nebraska.

As a homemaker and rancher’s wife, she helped work the ranch and made a home for the family.  She canned fruits and vegetables every summer from her garden, made clothing for all her family, and  created award winning quilts. She liked watching baseball while quilting; the Detroit Tigers were her favorite team. She was a 4-H leader and volunteered 15 years with the AmeriCorps Seniors Organization, delivering meals on wheels and other activities. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and volunteered with the Ladies Aid for many years.