Harriet McCormack, age 85 of Elwood, died May 11, 2009 at the Elwood Care Center.

She was born April 13, 1924 at Moorefield, NE to Raymond and Hazel (Dyer) Bellamy. She grew up in the Farnam and Moorefield area and graduated from Farnam High School in 1943.

Following her schooling, she went to Camp Hale, Colorado to work, and it was there that she met the love of her life, Edward W. McCormack; who was stationed there with the army. The couple was united in marriage on May 6, 1944 at Denver, Colorado. To this union they were blessed with 3 children; Barbara, Billy and Corky. The family lived in many places throughout Nebraska and Idaho, before settling in Elwood in 1964.

Harriet held a variety of jobs during her life. She greatly enjoyed writing her column, “Halfway House,” for the Tri City Tribune Newspaper. She ended her writing for the Tribune due to a stroke in 2004 that disabled her.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Elwood, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Gosper & Furnas County Historical Society and the Smithfield Smoothies. She was a charter member of the Centennial Committee and the Red Hat Society. She had been involved in the local Birthday Club for many years. Harriet was active in the Furnas County Museum project and helped in making the county atlas. Harriet worked hard at keeping the area history alive for coming generations.

She was an active antique dealer and enjoyed spending time sewing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; son, Billy; her parents; 4 brothers, Neil, Maurice, Horace and Noble; sister, Mable; grandson, Scott Hickenbottom; 2 great grandchildren, Morgan and Alexander Hickenbottom; and a son-in-law, James Hickenbottom.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Hickenbottom of Lexington; son, Corky (Becky) McCormack of Springfield, MO; Grandson, Jeremy Hickenbottom of Lincoln; Granddaughter, Shelly Hickenbottom of Lexington; 3 brothers, Kenneth (Doris) Bellamy of Farnam, Jack (Marlys) Bellamy of Arapahoe, Joe (Lloydelle) Bellamy of Elwood; 5 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be shared at www.berrymanfuneralhome.com.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the Berryman Funeral Home Chapel in Cozad with Pastor Connie Karr officiating. Inurnment will be at the Farnam Cemetery.

Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.

Berryman Funeral Home, 12 May 2009