Mardel Hughes

Mardel Irene Hughes was born February 8th, 1931, as the first of four children to Anna (Schnoor) and Francis Farrell. She attended grammar school and graduated from Franklin Schools. She went to Cosmetology school in Omaha and earned her degree.

Mardel married Bernerd Baxter and had one child Colleen Baxter born May 1, 1957. Together they lived in Kearney, where Mardel was a homemaker until Bernerd disappeared in 1960. She then went to work for Baldwin flters, in 1966. She married Donald Hughes. Together they lived in Funk, Nebraska where they owned-operated a small family cafe. After the cafe closed, she went to work for Artistic Labels in Holdrege. Soon, they moved back to Kearney, Nebraska and had a home outside of town, near the Platte River. Mardel worked for Baldwin Filters for more than twenty years, before retiring in 1980, after suffering a stroke.

After Don retired, they moved back to Franklin where they both had been raised. Mardel spent her time making crafts, camping, reading, doing puzzles, attending Bible study and playing cards over coffee nearly every morning and afternoon. Mardel also, helped raise her grandchildren every summer as they were growing up, then later through high school. Mardel enjoyed attending school functions and attending sporting events in support of her grand-daughters.

Don and Mardel moved to Bloomington in 1991. While there, they delivered Meals on Wheels for twenty-five years. She was a member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary, the Franklin Senior Center and the Bloomington Community Club.

Mardel and Don spent the last three years of her life again in Franklin. They lived at the Golden Age Village and most recently at the Golden Living Center. Mardel died Tuesday, August 6th, 2013 at the Franklin County Memorial Hospital, surrounded by family and friends.

Mardel loved life, being with her children, her grand-children and getting together with friends.
Mardel is preceded in death by her parents and brother - Lyle. She is survived by husband Don, daughter Colleen and husband Lyle Titkemeier of Wilcox, grand-daughters Cherie Bahm of Wichita, KS, Amy and husband Dennis Kahrs of Bloomington, and Leslie Hammergren of Hastings, Nebraska; great grand-children Kaitlyn, Nicholas, Jacob, and Wyatt and four step great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Mardel Irene Hughes will be Friday, August 9, 2013, at the Maple Grove Cemetery, Bloomington, Nebraska, with Pastor Scott Randall officiating. Music was provided by Mrs. RoseAnn Platt who sang "Amazing Grace" and "Old Rugged Cross". Honorary bearers were her grandchildren - Kaitlyn, Nicholas, Jacob, and Wyatt. Inurnment followed the service in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Bloomington, Nebraska. Memorials may be sent to the Franklin Senior Center. Hutchins Funeral Home, Franklin, Nebraska, was in charge of arrangements. You may leave online condolences at www.hutchinsfh.com.