M. Marcene Livermore, 88, of North Platte, passed away on Sept. 1, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center.
She was born on Jan. 18, 1925, to Emmett and Mona Hughes, of Ericson. When she was 6 years old, she was joined by a sister, Darlene, and soon followed by another sister, Berdine, and brothers, Gerald, Lonnie and Norman, who completed the large family. As the oldest, Marcene helped raise her siblings. She completed eighth grade at a one-room school house in Garfield County.
The Hughes were ranchers. Marcene learned from her grandparents, who also lived on the ranch. She baked bread at age 4 and at age 9, her canned peaches won first prize at the county fair.
At age 18, Marcene was asked to work at a prominent hunting lodge on a ranch near Ericson. The owner had heard of her as “an extraordinary young woman.” She took the job and helped put up hay, do chores, clean, cook, can and bake.
Marcene married Loren Livermore, of Burwell, in 1947. Their daughter, Judy, was born that year.
Later she became the chef at the Burwell Legion Hall, where she prepared food for the Burwell Rodeo. One year, she organized the preparation of seven tons of potatoes for rodeo week, with help of the community.
She graduated from beauty school in 1949 and operated her own shop thereafter. She kept her beautician’s license until she was 70.
In 1957, she took over operation of the staff kitchen at Fonner Park in Grand Island, preparing the food for horse owners, trainers and jockeys. She later worked in management at the Ramada Inn in Grand Island, where she expanded the banquet and convention program.
After Marcene moved to North Platte in 1975, she and Loren traveled extensively. Marcene remained active, canning fruit and berries in their motor home and also steering Loren’s fishing boat from the flying bridge.
Following her husband’s death in the early 1990s, Marcene earned her GED, and the instructor asked her to teach other GED students. She attended North Platte Community College, where she studied several subjects. She volunteered in the community, helping at the library, the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, the 20th Century Veterans Memorial, the United Way campaign and the Garden Glove open market in Original Town. She loved music and art. In recent months, she was in the audience at Open Mic Nite at A to Z Books, where she enjoyed a regular role as “an encouraging observer.”
In all things she did, Marcene expressed a joy of living and wanted good to be sent and paid forward.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; her husband; her brother, Gerald; a sister, Berdine; and stepsons, Wendell, Larry and Loren.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy Oliver; her sister, Darlene (Bill) Gumb, of Sargent; her brothers, Lonnie (Kathy) Hughes, of Sargent, and Norman “Dutch” (Cindy) Hughes, of McCook; and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins.
No flowers are her request. Memorials are suggested to the Mid-Plains Community Foundation for educational scholarships, the Original Town or the Mid-Plains United Way.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, followed at noon by food and fellowship at the Eagles Club in North Platte.
