Lucile McMurtry

Lucile “Lucy” (Heydenreich) McMurtry was born July 7, 1925 in Medicine Lodge, Kansas to Emil and Lila (Bradshaw) Heydenreich. Lucy grew up and attended school in Medicine Lodge. She was one of ten children and did her part to help on the family farm, but also found time to write stories about cowboys, and kept a box full of cut out paper horses. After high school, Lucy attended Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio for a semester, then received her beautician certificate from a beauty college in Columbus. Lucy won a contest in beauty school where the prize was to go to Hollywood to do hair and make-up, but the girl from small town Kansas wasn’t comfortable going to Hollywood. Lucy married Dean McMurtry on January 6, 1951 in Topeka, Kansas. The couple first lived in Hawaii while Dean was in the Navy. They then moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma while Dean finished his college degree, and daughter, Christine was born. They then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where daughter Mary was born. They spent nearly 30 years while raising their girls. After Dean’s retirement in 1986, they moved to Buena Vista, Colorado. Dean preceded Lucy in death in 1993, and a few years later in 1999, Lucy moved back to Medicine Lodge. She moved to Omaha 3 years ago to be closer to Mary and her family. Lucy held a variety of jobs throughout her life. She worked as a phone operator in Topeka, KS, a “Rosie the Riveter” for Beech Aircraft in Wichita during WWII, a soda fountain jerk at Oklahoma State University, in admitting at Lincoln General Hospital, and as a receptionist for a pediatrician’s office in Lincoln, but her most rewarding work came from working with the Camp Fire Girls organization. Lucy held many positions, both volunteer and paid, and rose to the rank of District Director. Lucy was also extremely active in a number of different clubs and civic groups. She earned a 50 year pin with Beta Sigma Phi, was a member of the Eastern Star, PEO, the Missionary Women’s Club, Young at Heart, and a hiking club while in Buena Vista, and the Pilot Club, the Red Hat Society, and Christian Women’s group in Medicine Lodge, along with several different bridge clubs, and was always active with the churches she belonged to in Buena Vista and Medicine Lodge. Lucy loved to travel, beginning with camping and fishing with the girls as they grew up, or cruises to Hawaii or Alaska with friends or family, Lucy loved to be on the go. She was able to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and took numerous bus trips to Branson, Missouri. She was also a fantastic crafter. Hand crafts were her specialty, but painting was also a strong point, and she was always proud of the table scapes she would create for the PEO Epicurian luncheon fundraisers. She enjoyed reading, especially romance novels, and could often be found tending to her flower garden. She was the sweetest person ever, and always wanted everyone to be happy. She always told her girls to “kill ‘em with kindness”, and lived out that mantra. She will be remembered as a kind, sweet and loving lady. Lucy passed away on Monday, May 27, 2013 at the Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 20 days. She was preceded in death by her husband Dean, infant brothers; George and Leslie, brother Roy Heydenreich, and sisters; Florence Hindman and Grace Estes. Lucy is survived by daughters and sons-in-law: Christine & Joel Swieter of Gold Canyon, AZ, and Mary & Patrick Grieve of Omaha, grandchildren: Keegan Swieter, Caitie, Tanner, Mackenzie, and Hunter Grieve, siblings: Georgia (Montie) Baty of Medicine Lodge, KS, Emily Jane (DeWane) Ewert of Wichita, KS, Joyce Harris of Millington, TN, and Charles Frederick (Clara) Heydenreich of Crawfordsville, FL, and multiple cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Lucile “Lucy” McMurtry, age 87, formerly of Medicine Lodge, KS, died 5/27/13. Preceded in death by husband Dean, infant brothers; George and Leslie, brother Roy Heydenreich, and sisters; Florence Hindman and Grace Estes. Survived by daughters and sons-in-law: Christine & Joel Swieter of Gold Canyon, AZ, and Mary & Patrick Grieve of Omaha, grandchildren: Keegan Swieter, Caitie, Tanner, Mackenzie, and Hunter Grieve, siblings: Georgia (Montie) Baty of Medicine Lodge, KS, Emily Jane (DeWane) Ewert of Wichita, KS, Joyce Harris of Millington, TN, and Charles Frederick (Clara) Heydenreich of Crawfordsville, FL. Visitation with the family at Reichmuth Funeral Home, Elkhorn, NE Wednesday 6-8 PM. Funeral service at First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, KS 2 PM Friday with visitation prior to service. Interment Sunday, 6/2/13 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Buena Vista, Colorado. Memorials to the family.

Lucile McMurtry

July 7, 1925 - May 27, 2013