Lucy Hannah Painter was born July 9, 1937, in Springview, NE, to Roy and Jennie (Horton) Painter. She graduated from Keya Paha County High School.
On August 15, 1954, Lucy married John Forgey. To this marriage they had six children - Steve, Neil, Jan, Dan, Dale and Lisa. After their marriage they moved to Casper, WY.
In 1957 they moved to the ranch. Being a town girl, she cried living out there. John would tell her, “Don’t worry, Lucy, it’s not the end of the world. But it’s just over the hill.” She became the epitome of a farm wife. Lucy raised a big garden and raised and cleaned chickens. She became an excellent cook.
Lucy joined the Valley Reading Circle with the ladies of the community. She so enjoyed those gatherings. It was the social event of the month and as children, we got to sometimes join in time for the luncheon.
After the kids had left, Lucy started cooking for the Gregory Sale Barn. Each week she had to cook more as the word got out to the community. Her pies became famous.
In 1987 Dan and Lyn moved home and started milking cows. Lucy would help as much as she could. Her favorite cow was “Easy.”
In 2000 Mom, Dad, and Jan took a trip to New York to see the mastodon at the National History Museum. In 2003 she and Jan went to Hawaii. I know that it was a wonderful experience for her. She and Dad would come to Las Vegas every chance they could.
The weekly “marble game” with the Steffen’s and the Graesser’s were her fondest memories. The laughter and love with our families will always be treasured.
In 2007 she and Dad moved into Colome, SD. She loved being across from the school so she could cook lunches for Geoff and Skylar.
There was never any doubt that Lucy loved her children, but her grandchildren made her life complete. She would try to get to as many of their activities that she could.
Lucy passed away on February 6, 2024, in Douglas, WY. She joins in heaven her husband, John; daughter, Jan; great-granddaughter, Elsie; her parents, Roy and Jennie; and sisters, Georgie, Beth and Marylin.
She leaves behind four sons, Steve (Shirley) of Casper, WY, Neil (Clarice) of Lost Springs, WY, Dan (Lyn) of Dallas, SD, and Dale (Carla) of Alliance, NE; one daughter, Lisa of Colome, SD; thirteen grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and a great-greatgrandson.
