Carolyn Rae Rickey, 88, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, after succumbing to dementia and diabetes. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 10:00AM at the Gering United Methodist Church with Pastor Craig Collins officiating. Her final resting place will be at the Fort Laramie Cemetery. The family would especially like to thank the Residency staff and caregivers for all of the support and care given during her final days of need. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.geringchapel.com for the Rickey Family.
She was born on January 23, 1935 to Harold Fintus and Laura Minser-Fintus in Wheatland, Wyoming. She grew up in Fort Laramie, Wyoming where she went to school and found her high school sweetheart Phillip Rickey and graduated in 1953. She then proceeded to extend her education at the University of Wyoming in 1953-1955 earning her associate degree. On August 19, 1956 she and Phillip married.
She worked at Chadron State College as a secretary while Phil was enrolled there. When they moved to Columbus, Nebraska she also worked as a secretary at the Platte College. In 1971, Phillip and Carolyn had adopted a little girl and named her “Tiffany” in 1974 they adopted a little boy and they named him “Travis”. Tiffany and Travis were the joys of their lives. Phillip and Carolyn spent many days and traveled many miles in the sport of competitive swimming. While taking care of her kids and being a stay-at-home mom, she also donated time to the Gering United Methodist Church. She would donate hats that she had made every year for the craft fair.
In her free time, she loved to cook and bake for family and friends, knit, play solitaire, do word puzzles, go camping, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. She was a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. She always put the needs of her husband, children and grandchildren above all. God gained an amazing angel.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband Phillip, her parents, and many cousins.
She is survived by her son, Travis (Allison) Rickey; grandkids, Hailey Rickey, Theodore Rickey, Rylee Hazen, Jackson Rickey, and Grant Rickey of Gering, Nebraska; and daughter, Tiffany Rickey of California.