Flora Dutcher

Flora M. Dutcher, age 100, died Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

She was born in a sod house on the homestead of her parents, Austin Wilson “A. W.” and Minnie M. (Tucker) Dutcher, in Red Willow County on January 26, 1908.

She graduated from 8th grade at rural school district #71 and McCook High School in 1926. She attended “Normal Training” classes during her senior year in high school and was hired that fall for her first teaching assignment at District #68 in Hitchcock County. Thus began her 46-years of teaching. She received her Associate’s of Arts Degree from McCook Jr. College in 1936. She later graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska in 1943 and her Master’s in 1951. She taught in McCook at West Ward, North Ward, and McCook Jr. High, having been the first Principal of North Ward.
Flora retired from formal education after spending eighteen years at McCook Community College where she taught Education Courses. She held the position of Dean of Women while at the college.

She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church since 1924, taught Sunday school for 27 years, and kept the history of the Baptist Church. Other memberships included the American Association of University Women, Business and Professional Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, Daughters of the American Revolution, District 5 of Nebraska State Teachers Association and McCook Retired Teachers Association, holding offices in each.

After retiring from teaching, Flora sold Avon for 13 years. In her free time, she was an avid scrapbooker compiling many historical events of the area plus national and worldwide happenings. She also kept the family records of the Dutcher Family and enjoyed the many gatherings at the Dutcher Reunions.

She was preceded in death by her parents, A.W. and Minnie Dutcher; three half-brothers, Albert, Ephriam and James Dutcher and their spouses; one brother, Calvin Dutcher; four sisters, Thelma Dutcher, Mildred Newport and her husband Alvin, Edna Grieninger and her husband Frank, Elsie Fetters and her husband Theodore; brothers-in-law, Howard Malleck and Kenneth Sughroue; and sister-in-law, Loraine Dutcher.

Survivors include her two sisters Hazel Malleck and Ruth Sughroue both of Indianola and one brother, Lee Dutcher of Rolla, MO; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and her church family.

Memorials were to be given to the McCook College Foundation.

Funeral services were Friday, April 25, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Allan C. Jackson, II officiating. Burial took place in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook was in charge of the arrangements.

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