Berdie Marie Hickman

Berdie Marie Hickman passed away December 11, 2013, at the age of 94 in Bellevue, Washington.

Marie was born January 15, 1919 in Elberton WA to Guie and Bessie Irwin. She graduated from Colfax High School in 1937, Northwest Business College in 1938 and then went to work for Gearn Company.

On November 15, 1941 she married Bill Hickman in Moscow, Idaho. They lived in several different places where Bill worked as agent for Union Pacific Railroad in eastern Washington farm country. They settled at Touchet until World War II. While Bill served in the Army, Marie followed him to New Orleans and then to Alaska where their first son, Dick, was born. After the war, they came back to Touchet where their second son, Doug, was born. They lived and farmed in Touchet until 2002 when they moved to Walla Walla.

Bill passed away in 2003, and Marie moved to Bellevue in 2006 to be closer to her grandchildren and their families.

Marie and Bill attended the First Church of God in Walla Walla. She was a member of Sunshine Club, Narcissa Rebekah Lodge, Touchet Homemakers, Washington Horse Breeders Assoc., Touchet Grange, Walla Walla Historical Society and Union Pacific Old Timers Club.
Marie enjoyed traveling, her volunteer work at St Mary’s gift shop and owning their thoroughbred racehorses, but she especially enjoyed spending time with her family and many friends.

Marie will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Marie is survived by her two sons, Dick (Deanna) and Doug (Bonnie); two granddaughters, Darci Kleindl with husband Don and daughter Dakota of Sammamish, WA; and Stephanie Uusitalo with daughters, Ava and Ashley of Redmond, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill.

The Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 20, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Bethel Cemetery in Steptoe, WA. Memorial contributions may be made to the St Mary Regional Cancer Center through the Herring Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.