Evonne Hicken

Evonne L. Hicken, 72, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died March 17, 2020 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born March 27, 1947 in Gothenburg, NE, the daughter of William and Geraldine Slack.

Evonne grew up in Wild Horse Valley and attended Spannuth School and Brady High School graduating with the class of 1965.  She married Garry Hicken on June 25,1966 in Gothenburg and to this union three children were born: Jennifer, Christopher, and Thomas.

She was a lady of many talents, including photography, painting, and gardening.  She loved to make floral arrangements and decorate homes.  Her home is a beautiful combination of all her talents. She worked with Garry since 1976 operating Hicken Lumber and Home Center and in recent years she opened up Finishing Touches, an interior decorating store, that was a dream of hers and allowed her to use her artistic ability and love of decorating to bring a different aspect to the lumber yard. Evonne loved to get together with friends including “date night” on Tuesday nights, and the Friday nights spent together for "Umbrella Night". Family was the most important thing in her life, she loved to travel with Garry, take annual "girls trips” with Jennifer, Alisha and Britney, or host any holiday that she could, she was the anchor that brought the family together.

Evonne was a member of the American Lutheran Church, WECLA, serving as president for several years, PEO, and the American Lutheran Choir.

Survivors include her husband, Garry Hicken of Gothenburg, NE; daughter, Jennifer (Alan) Ballmer of Gothenburg, NE; two sons, Chris Hicken of Gothenburg, NE, and Tom Hicken of Omaha, NE; four grandchildren, Alisha Ballmer of Lincoln, NE, Alex Ballmer of Gothenburg, NE, Britney Hicken of Moravia, IA, and Cade Hicken of Lincoln, NE;  brother, Billy Slack of Brady, NE; two sisters, Carol Slack of Gothenburg, NE, and Beverly (Mike) Troxel of Sutherland, NE; two sisters-in-law Karan (Jim) Smith of Gothenburg, NE and Kristy (Dennis) Henn of Lincoln, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Evonne was preceded in death by her parents William and Geraldine Slack;  in-laws, William & Erma Hicken; sister-in-law, Betty Slack; brother-in-law Melvin Hicken; sister-in-law Juleen Farnstrom; and niece, Dena Hilyard.

A Celebration of Life for Evonne will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Friday, March 20, 2020, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm.  You are welcome to come to the funeral home to pay your respects to Evonne, but please be mindful of the current request for limited social contact and groups of less than 10 people.

Due to the current social and health concerns, we ask that if you are wanting to just drop off a card that you mail it directly to the family or funeral home and if you are just wanting to watch the video or sign the book that you do so on our website and we will print those all in the book for the family.

Private family services will be held at Gothenburg Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Women's WELCA at American Lutheran Church, or Central Plains Hospice P.O. Box 207 Cozad, NE 69130.