Margaret M. Hargens

Margaret Mary (Peggy) Hargens left this world June 26, 2019 from Cozad Community Hospital in Cozad, Nebraska destination undoubtedly Heaven. She was surrounded by her sister, her favorite cousin, a lifelong friend and attended by a caring staff of nurses and her favorite, Doctor Pat Wetovick. Peggy was born July 30, 1951 at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska to Gertrude and John Thomas Hargens. Although Peggy and Patsy thought they would never be separated, as young children they were. Peggy was moved from one facility to another including Lincoln, Beatrice Norfolk Ord, North Platte, Cozad, Lincoln and finally to Cozad again where she found a home and friends at South Central Developmental Center. Peggy and her sister were reunited, and this bond was never broken.

Peggy’s gifts in life include making a room light up with her smiles, her laughter, her knack for nicknames for almost every person she meets and her ability to tell the truth. Her true loves in this world are the color pink, purses, puppies, sparkles, bracelets, Dr. Pepper, cheeseburgers, Gary, James, Linda, Lisa, running and dancing and of course being with people. Once Peggy met you and loved you, she never forgot you. You were one of her “cuties”. Everyone wanted to be one of her favorites. So many are blessed with being her “favorite”.

Peggy was preceded in death by her grandparents Will and Mabel Cook, her parents and aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her sister, Patsy Koch Johns and husband Dwight, her cousins John and Veronica Shepard, her cousin Justin, her friends for over 30 years Dave and Marilee Malcom and family, her nephew, Ben Koch and his wife Cody and their daughters MaKenna and Olivia. Her niece Lori Long and husband Jim and their sons, Trenton and his wife Maddie, Dominic and his friend Georgette, and Bronson, and aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Peggy touched lives across Nebraska proving to all that we are not defined by our disabilities, but by our abilities and our willingness to share them as Peggy so unselfishly did. She is memorable.

Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. A memorial has been established in her name for later designation. Cremation was chosen. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church with Father Mike Pampara as celebrant. The "Pink Party" will be from 2:30 p.m. to 5 :30 p.m. following the Memorial Mass at South Central with refreshments and a celebration of Peggy. Berryman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.