Peggy Jean Hughes

Peggy Jean Hughes, 94, formerly of Scotia, entered into rest at Brookefield Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in St. Paul, on Monday, May 29, 2023, with her family by her side.

Services were held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Scotia.

Pastor Mark Middendorf officiated. Musicians included Karen Reynolds and the Zion Lutheran Church Choir.

Musical selections included “Amazing Grace,” “He Will Hold Me Fast,” “Lift High On That Cross,” and “The Old Rugged Cross.”

Honorary pallbearers included Louise Wells, Peggy Vlach, Betty Holt, Bonnie Steffen, Nila Rasmussen, and Maxine Rasmussen. Inurnment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery at Scotia.

Jacobsen- Greenway- Dietz Funeral Home of St. Paul assisted the family. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Peggy was born on February 6, 1929, in her uncle Bill Doncheski’s place by Davis Creek (north of Cotesfield) to Elwood and Rose (Doncheski) Blanchard.

She was the oldest of four children. Peggy attended kindergarten in Cotesfield, and, from there, they moved to various places. She attended school in Clarks, and then Grand Island Senior High for half a year, before the family moved to Wood River, where she graduated in 1947. She moved to Cotesfield, then to Scotia. In Scotia, she worked at the café.

She was working at the Scotia Drug Store, serving soda pop and ice cream, when she met Don Hughes. They were married on July 18, 1949 in Scotia. After they were married, the couple moved to Georgia when Don was in the Army. There, their oldest son, Craig, was born. They moved to Scotia when Don was honorably discharged in January of 1954. Peggy and Don lived on the farm where their children, Doug and Judy, were born. Don farmed with his father, while Peggy did the farm wife duties. They moved to Scotia in 1985. Don passed away on March 20, 2017.

Peggy was a member of the “Birthday Club” with Louise Wells, Peggy Vlach, Betty Holt, Bonnie Steffen, Nila Rasmussen, and Maxine Rasmussen. The gals had fun going on day trips, traveling to Nashville, and various other places.

She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Scotia and the Scotia American Legion Auxiliary.

Peggy continued to live in Scotia after Don passed away, until entering

The Phonograph-Herald | June 7, 2023

Brookefield Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation.

She is survived by her sons and daughtersin- law, Craig and Gigi Hughes of Scotia, Doug and Victoria Hughes of Lincoln, and Maureen Dobel of Colorado; grandchildren, Candi Hughes, Casey and Cari Hughes, Mandi and Nick Shoemaker, Heather and Casey Fox, Matt and Teri Hughes, Trevor Marlow, Kelsea Small, Cera-Rose Hughes, and Joe Harder, Brennen Lech and Jamie, Paiton Lech and Nicole, Cali and Shay Weber, Jacob Lech and Gracie, and Regan and Carl Mundt; great-grandchildren, Luke, Landon, Mason, Brookelyn, Ava, Charlee, Lennon, Hudson, Knoxson, Daxon, Madelyn Rose, Moxon, Raygan, Brighton, Bexly, Riggin, Rhett, and Ridge; and brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Eileen Blanchard.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; daughter, Judy Hughes; twin sister, Daphne; and sisters, Velma and Ellen.