Dutcher Obituaries

Hazel B. (Dutcher) Malleck

May 10, 1920 -- June 30, 2013

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Hazel B. Malleck, age 93, passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2013, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook with her family by her side.

She was born May 10, 1920, in McCook to parents Austin Wilson and Minnie M. (Tucker) Dutcher. She graduated from McCook High School in 1938.

On May 30, 1940, she was united in marriage to Howard V. Malleck in McCook. They made their home on a farm south of Indianola where Hazel was a busy farm wife and mother of four sons.

Hazel was a member of the Sunny Valley Extension Club, the school "Good Friends" program and ARC, where she had served on the board. She enjoyed her flower garden, quilting, and reading. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother. She raised or took direct care of her children for a total of 57 years, as Ronnie, her youngest, had Down's syndrome and required her devoted care until his death at age 32.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Howard Malleck, on Dec. 14, 1991; her son, Ronnie Malleck; grandson, Rodney Malleck; one brother, Calvin Dutcher; five sisters, Flora Dutcher, Millie Newport, Edna Grieninger, Thelma Dutcher, and Elsie Fetters; and half-brothers, Albert, Ephriam and James Dutcher.

Survivors include her sons, Jerry Malleck and wife, Gloria, of Indianola, Terry Malleck and wife, Paula, of Longmont, Colorado, and Rick Malleck and wife, Kelly, of Granbury, Texas; one brother, Lee Dutcher of Rolla, Missouri; one sister, Ruth Sughroue of Bartley; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. 

 Flora M. Dutcher

Jan. 26, 1908 - April 22, 2008
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 Jan. 26, 1908.

She graduated from eighth grade at rural school district No. 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 No. 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 18 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.