Margaret J. Triplett

Margaret Triplett, 92 Gibbon resident Margaret Triplett, 92, of Gibbon died Thursday, August 7, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney after a short illness. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at the Gibbon Baptist Church with the Rev. Matt Wolf officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday and one hour prior to the service all at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Gibbon Baptist Church or the Rowe Sanctuary. Condolences may be shared at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home of Gibbon is in charge of arrangements. Margaret Josephine (Sealing) Triplett was the first of seven children born to Charles and Adina (Stearley) Sealing on December 21, 1921 in Shelton, Nebraska. As a baby her family moved to a farm near Prosser and at the age of 13 moved to the Stearley family farm south of Shelton where she was raised. She graduated from Gibbon High School in 1939 and married Louie Triplett on February 1, 1942. They lived on a farm near Alda, Nebraska until buying their farm south of Gibbon in 1951. There they raised five children and in 1977 moved to a new house built on their farm by their son, Wendell, where she lived until her recent illness. Margaret was a dedicated farmer’s wife, working in the fields along side her husband plus taking care of her home and family. Margaret was very involved with her church where she did much volunteer work, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and was great friend to anyone in need. While her daughters were young she enjoyed helping then with their 4-H sewing projects, and helped sew most of their own clothes. She enjoyed reading, gardening and was especially drawn to birding and the Audubon Society where she was active and made many friends in the N.O.U. (Nebraska Ornithologist’s Union). She was also a long time member of the Sunshine Extension Club and looked forward to their meetings as a chance to continue learning and to visit with her friends. After Louie died she was involved in the Elder Hostel program and took many trips across the United States and expanded her friendship base even more. She was a collector and saved almost every letter and card she received, along with many cards and letters that her Mother and Grandmother had saved. She received much joy in reading old correspondences and reminiscing about days gone by. In her later years she enjoyed visits from family and friend, family activities, and kept in contact with everyone by phone and e-mail. Margaret and Louie were commended for their leadership in Platte River conservation and were instrumental in helping the Rowe Sanctuary get started. Through the years she received much enjoyment in having that facility near her home, and a person couldn’t have a conversation with Margaret without her mentioning either a Sanctuary activity or friends she had there. She was especially proud that the Sanctuary honored her family by naming the trail through the grounds and along the river the Triplett Trail. Survivors include her children; Lois Coleman of Chicago, IL; Ken (Kathy) Triplett of Grand Island; Elaine (Gary) Sallans of Aurora; Wendell (Rosemary) Triplett of Grand Island; and Rodney (Carol) Triplett of Creighton, NE. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, Mark (Sharon) Thuente, Perry (Wendy) Thuente, Dana Hengstler, Lisa Vasa, Dan (Suzanne) Triplett, David Triplett, Greg Sallans, Debra (Kasey) Herzberg, Ryan (Megan) Sallans, Amy Richardson, Stephanie (Jeff) Justesen, Sarah Olson, Stacey (Chris) Preuss, Greta (Bill) Pinkerton, Chelsea Triplett, Samantha Triplett and Elliot Triplett; 34 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; two sisters, Charlene (Paul) Johrde of Bedford, NH and Helen Curtiss of Taos, NM; two brothers, Raymond Sealing of Camp Verde, AZ and Gaylord (Helga) Sealing of Shelton, NE; brother-in-law, Charles Gray of Columbus, NE and sister-in-law, Mercedes Morrison of Greeley, CO; many nieces and nephews whom she treasured, and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Louie in July of 1982; brother, Arnold Sealing and sister, Eula Gray.

Margaret J. Triplett

December 21, 1921 - August 7, 2014