Bessie Mae (Hickey) Finnell

     Bess Finnell, of Mineola, TX, died August 30, 2021, at the age of 94 years, 28 days.

     She was born August 2, 1927, in Omaha, NE, the daughter of Cloyd and Minnie (Johnson) Hickey.

     Bess’s early years were spent on the family farm as she attended Ervin Country School with her brothers and sisters.  Most days, they all rode the old farm mule to school.  She later graduated from Riverton(Iowa) High School with the class of 1945. One event that greatly impacted her life was the death of her mother on September 10, 1934, when Bess was just seven years old.

     Following high school, she was united in marriage to Harold Gilbert on September 22, 1945, and to this union, three sons were born.  She later married Robert Finnell in December 1970.  They loved to take annual trips to Las Vegas where Bess could indulge her passion for nickel slot machines.  

     Upon Robert’s death in May 1986, Bess lived for several years in Grand Island, NE before returning to her roots in the Union/Nebraska City area where she helped care for her aging father and stepmother, Fannie.  She also spent many wonderful and happy hours working at the Union Orchard alongside of several family members and friends.  This fit perfectly into her love for canning vegetables and fruits.  

     In November 2016, Bess moved to Mineola, TX where she enjoyed her remaining years.  Her wishes were to be cremated and buried alongside her father at the East Union Cemetery.  

     She is survived by her three children, Randy (Jae) Gilbert of Omaha, NE, Wayne (Daris) Gilbert of Mineola, TX, and Dale (Peg) Gilbert of Omaha; 9 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

     A brief graveside service will be conducted on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 10:am at the East Union Cemetery near Union, NE.

     Memorials can be made to the VFW and Meals on Wheels.

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