Margaret F. Bickett

Mrs. Margaret F. "Peg" Bickett, age 95 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Wednesday, December 24, 2014, at St. Joseph's Bluffs. Peg was born August 30, 1919, in Rockford, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Mable Larson Wilkie. She graduated as valedictorian of Rockford High School in 1936. She received a Teacher's Certificate from Iowa State Teacher's College in 1938. Returning to college as her children grew, she graduated with distinction with a major in Remedial Reading from the University of Minnesota. Peg's mother died when Peg was 11 and her father soon lost an arm to polio. However, he managed to raise two young girls during the Depression. Peg and her sister, Mildred, had one dress each, but since they were the same size, were able to share them. In high school, Peg worked in a cafÈ to buy school supplies and clothes while also singing in the church choir, playing in the school band and was a member of the Glee Club. Upon graduation from Iowa State, she immediately began teaching. It was at her first job that she met the love of her life, Robert Lynn Bickett. Two years after meeting, Lynn came to school with a marriage certificate and a corsage and proposed. Later that night, they got the minister out of bed to marry them at midnight on December 20, 1940. Lynn preceded her in death in 1974. Peg was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Retired Teacher's Assn. and was a PEO. She was a former docent at the Cole County Historical Society and volunteered for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service. She was extremely proud of her students at East Elementary School, where she was librarian for 16 years. Her greatest love was teaching children to read, even after retirement. A wonderful cook, Peg was famous for her caramels and other candies. She loved to knit, crochet and raise African violets. She loved her many friends and was especially loving with her family members, who often referred to her as "Honey". Survivors include: one daughter, Karen Swarens (husband C.C. "Cork") of Jefferson City; two sons, Richard (Skip) Bickett of Missouri City, Texas and Keith Bickett of Dublin, Calif.; one sister, Mildred Senne of Ft. Worth, Texas; five grandchildren, Jeff and Greg Swarens, Loren McRae, Kristin Domergue, Megan Bickett; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Lynn. Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2015. A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2015 in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Dr. David Henry and the Reverend Dr. Rob Erickson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Rape and Abuse Crisis Service (RACS), the Central Missouri Food Bank or Hospice Compassus.. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com