Jane Beeson Hitt, age 97, of Oshkosh, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2004 at Evergreen Retirement Community. Jane was born in Alliance, Nebraska on August 10, 1906, and was one of six children of Frank and Mary (Hicks) Beeson. Preceding Jane in death are her parents, four brothers: Tom, Frank, Joseph, and Richard, as well as a beloved sister, Helen Celestia. She was married to Charles Jefferson Hitt, Sr. who also preceded her in death on May 14, 1975 at the age of 88. As a young woman, Jane lived with her family on a homestead in rural Nebraska in an area called "Goodstreak". Her parents later moved to Alliance, Nebraska and then to California. Jane stayed in Alliance with friends and after high school, became employed as a telephone operator at the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad office in Alliance where she later met her husband, Charles J. Hitt, Sr. They were married on April 20, 1929 and were together for 46 years. During their years in Alliance they were very active in St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. Jane spent time on the Altar Guild as well as other activities related to the church. She was also a member of the Aloyah Chapter #185 of the Order of Eastern Star, and attended Masonic events with her husband who was a 32nd Degree Mason. Even though Jane worked outside the home, family life was very important to her and she took great pride in her entertaining and cooking skills. Jane also loved classical music and hymns, and could repeat many lines of poetry from memory. Jane is survived by her daughter: Jane (John) McAndrew of Oshkosh, and her son: Charles Hitt of Madison, as well as three grandchildren: Jeff (Debra) McAndrew of North Fond du Lac, Scott (Maya Cole) McAndrew of Madison, and Sarah (Bob) Kempainen of St. Paul, Minnesota. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Ryan Jeffrey, Stephen John, Grant Cole, Jackson Cole, and Reece Cole McAndrew, Nora Jane, and Louis John Kempainen, as well as many other loving relatives. The family would like to thank the staff of Evergreen Retirement Community for their kind and patient care of Jane while she was a resident of their facility. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Bates-Gould Funeral Chapel in Alliance, Nebraska on Friday, January 23, 2004 with Reverend Paul Mottl presiding. Private family burial service will be at the Alliance Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends and relatives may send memorial gifts to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Alliance, Nebraska, 69301 or to Evergreen Retirement Community Care Assurance fund, PO Box 1720, Oshkosh, WI 54903-1720, or to Trinity Episcopal Church, Oshkosh, WI. 54901. "Oh Lord support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and The busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, And PEACE, at the last." Amen ....From The Book of Common Prayer
Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels assisted the family with arrangements. Seefeld Funeral and Cremation Services www.seefeldfuneral.com (920) 236-7750