Beth Hickman was born in Rutland North Dakota to Bob & Lois Case on October 16, 1954. She was the eldest of five children & remained close with her siblings (Bobby, Stan, Carolyn, & Emerson) and their families.
She graduated from Morehead State University where she met & later married Ron Jaeb. Ron’s work took them to Montana & later Arizona. Ron & Beth had three children: Cole, Kyle, & Casey. They gained a bonus child, Zack, almost immediately upon arriving in Arizona. Ron died tragically when Casey was just an infant.
Ever a fighter, Beth returned to school to obtain an Arizona teaching certificate in order to provide for her family. She earned her masters of education from Arizona State University as a result. Soon after, she met Russ Hickman, the man that she would love for the rest of her days. Russ & Beth married and Russ adopted her children. Together they created a beautiful home.
Beth worked as a junior high resource teacher & touched the lives of countless students. Beth retired a few years ago & took on RV living. She & Russ made Picacho Peak their winter destination and traveled to ALL of the U.S. National Parks! She loved reading, knitting, puzzles, & bicycle riding. Most of all she loved her family & friends, especially her grandchildren: Amber, Joey, Troy, Page, Cloe, Jaeb, Everett, & Olive. Beth was a proud Norwegian & passed her love for lefsa onto her children and grandchildren.
Beth was intelligent, kind, fun, strong, independent, & outgoing. She enjoyed an amazing holiday season with her family. Russ & Beth spent Thanksgiving in Iowa with Cole & Kyle’s families and Christmas with family in Arizona. Beth fought hard as health issues took over. She even rallied with a broken arm & pelvis to spend one more day with her grandkids. While hospitalized her organs started to fail & ultimately took her life. She died peacefully on January 10, 2024. She will be immensely missed. She was Russ’ angel on earth & will always be his angel above.
A private memorial service was held in Gilbert, Arizona. Donations made in lieu of flowers will go to benefit education. Contributions can be sent directly to Russ via Zelle at russtherealtor@gmail.com or by check mailed to 514 Americas Way #14054 Box Elder SD 57719.
Beth Hickman
10/16/1954 - 01/10/2024
Condolences
Add Condolence
© Copyright | Bunker Family Funerals & Cremation | All Rights Reserved | Blog
With Heartfelt Sympathy and in Loving Memory ❤️
Dear Russ and Family,
You’ve suffered a terrible loss with Beth’s passing and you have our deepest and most loving sympathy.
We remember meeting Beth and Russ for the first time shortly after we all moved into Bridgeview. There were maybe thirty people in the room and two were graduates of Minnesota State University, Moorhead: Beth and Scott (really, what were the chances?). It was the start of this long friendship we’ve cherished ever since. Many trips downtown on the light rail for dinner and an evening at the symphony. Bridgeview brunches and parties, bike rides, wine tastings, billiards and Scrabble. Weddings, funerals, grandchildren, broken bones, milestone birthdays. A lefse-making class taught by Beth’s Mom and aunt. And one series of salsa dancing lessons (really, what were the chances?).
When Beth and Russ moved next door to Edgewater, I’d hang a birthday banner on our balcony every October 16 so Beth would see it across the way. She shared her birthdate with our oldest grandchild (really, what were the chances?). We were also visiting National Parks, but couldn’t keep up with Russ and Beth, even when they brought us a cheat stamp to put in our passport book from somewhere they got to that we didn’t. After they started their big RV adventure, we’d meet up before they left each spring and when they got back, often at Casa Ramos near our cabin in Heber as they were passing through.
Beth was one of the most down-to-earth, strong, resilient, fun-loving people we have ever known and she was devoted to Russ, her family, her students and her friends. We admired her as a teacher, mother, and wife, and loved her as our friend. She and Russ had a beautiful life together and we are sorry beyond words to see it end so soon. For everyone who loved Beth, the world is smaller without her in it, but she leaves the glow of having known her in our hearts.
Our love and sincere condolences,
Barbara and Scott Nelson