Barbara Jean Blickenstaff

Barbara Jean Blickenstaff, age 88, of Arapahoe, Nebraska passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital, in Cambridge, Nebraska.  She was born on September 21, 1934 on the family farm north of Wauneta, Nebraska to George and Margaret (Waddington) Fekkers.

She attended country school and graduated in 1952 from Wauneta High School.  She graduated from McCook Community College with a teaching certificate.  She taught school at several schools around McCook, before moving to Norton, Kansas to be closer to her sister and family.  Once there, she taught at the Dry Creek School close to the NE/KS state line. 

After moving to Norton, she met and married Duane Francis Blickenstaff on August 19, 1959.  They had three children, Bruce, Beverly and Charlene.  They lived most of their married life on their farm south of Hendley, Nebraska.  In 1995, they moved to Arapahoe, Nebraska. Duane passed away on November 10, 1995.

She was heavily involved in the United Methodist Church, UMW, and Wesleyan Circle in Arapahoe.  She enjoyed Tuesday Housewife’s Bowling League in Norton.  And she could always be found watching muted Nebraska Cornhusker games on TV, while listening on the radio.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Duane; son-in-law Jeff Rudolph, two brothers and one sister.  

She is survived by her children Bruce (Darla), Beverly (Kerry) Rudolph, and Charlene Rudolph; Grandkids Chris, Chance, Maggie, Caitlyn, Jacob, and Jerome.  Great-grandkids Taylor, Carter, Wyatt, Amelia, Hadley, Beau, and Adrianna.

Memorial service will be Friday, December 30, 2022 at 1:30 PM at United Methodist Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Pastor Joel Rathbun. Garey Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and personal reflections may be left at gareyfuneralhome.com