Reed Hamilton

Clarence (Reed) Hamilton, age 93, passed away March 13, 2022, at Linden Court in North Platte, NE. Reed was born on the family ranch April 3, 1928, to Lloyd and Ruth Hamilton. He attended Antelope Valley School through the 8th grade and ended his formal education there to help his father run the ranch. 

     Reed married Rosa Lee Hickenbottom on September 24, 1949, in Alliance, NE and they were married for 69 years before her death at age 88 in June of 2019. Reed and Rosa Lee lived and worked on the ranch until Rosa Lee’s poor health necessitated their move to assisted living in February of 2017.  Three children were born to this marriage: Verla who lives in Omaha, Dave from Thedford and Scott who lives in Lincoln.

     Reed was very active in community and state organizations: the Thedford Service Club, Thedford Rural Fire District Board, Thedford School Board, Custer Public Power District Board, and a lifelong member of the Nebraska Cattlemen. 

     Reed and Rosa Lee and family joined the United Church of Christ in Thedford in 1961. Rosa Lee was church organist for 55 years and Reed served as building committee chairman for the parish hall as well as on the Board of Trustees and Deacons several times. 

     He was a lifelong learner in the ranching profession and was an early adopter of rotational grazing, cross fencing, water development and wind break establishment starting in 1962. He took great pride in managing the land and cattle and worked through drought and challenging cattle markets. 

     Reed was preceded in death by his wife Rosa Lee, his parents Lloyd and Ruth, his brother Floyd, sisters and brothers-in-law Lois and Grant Figard, Alice and Keith Dubry and Louise and Dave Miller. Also preceding him in death were brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jack and Betty Celesky, Chuck and Karolyn Hickenbottom and brother-in-law Mick Hickenbottom. 

     He is survived by his three children Verla Hamilton, Dave (Loretta) Hamilton and Scott (Mary) Hamilton; four granddaughters Angela (Lance) Kuhlmann, Christa (Ryan) Pichler, Julie (Jonathan) King and Katherine (Bill) Mischnick and five great grandchildren. Also surviving him are sisters-in-law Betty Hamilton and Bonnie Hickenbottom and many nieces and nephews.

     Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at 1:30 pm at the United Church of Christ in Thedford, NE with Pastor Les Parmenter officiating. The service will be livestreamed at www.govierbrothers.com.  Inurnment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the United Church of Christ or the Thedford Rural Fire District. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.