Marvel M. (McCoy) Forgey

Marvel Mae McCoy, born October 3, 1937, in Springview, Nebraska, peacefully passed away January 13, 2024 in Bassett, Nebraska at the age of 86. She was the first-born daughter of Robert Francis and Hilda Mae (Rinehart) McCoy following seven (six living) sons. Two years later, her sister, Fern Kay, completed the family.

Marvel attended District #56 grade school in Springview and graduated from Keya Paha County High School with the Class of 1955. It was there she met the love of her life, Wayne Russell Forgey. They were married August 7, 1955 and to this union three children were born, Teresa Kay, Dean Russell and Debra Fay.

In 1985, Wayne and Marvel began their family again, welcoming Jason Wayne, Stacy Lee, Shawna Lynn and Ryan Daniel Rutar into their home to raise. The house again was filled with sounds of giggling, arguing, squealing, shushing, lots of laughter and love.

Throughout her life, Marvel was busy both in and out of the home. She loved to knit and sew and was gifted at both. She sewed for family, friends, usually anyone who asked her. Many people were touched by her repairs, alterations, and creation of new clothes from pajamas to prom/bridesmaid dresses. To this day, Keya Paha County Schools still utilize the Santa and Mrs. Claus costumes she made for Ryan and Shawna’s roles in their first school Christmas play together.

She was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star since 1961, when she was initiated while her parents held offices in the East. She held the office of Worthy Matron for more than 20 years, though not consecutively, until Springview Chapter #224 consolidated with Bethany Chapter #113 in 2011. When Stacy and Shawna began their journey with Job’s Daughters, Marvel actively supported them when she was appointed the Director of Paraphernalia, a position she held for many years.

Marvel was actively involved in all her “kids” school activities. She was there cheering on Keya Paha County Indians football, volleyball, basketball, academic contests, speech meets, band and chorus competitions for years. When the Keya Paha Indians became the North Central Knights, her enthusiasm was the same while following her great-granddaughters many activities involving sports, rodeo, dance recitals and honors and awards.

She loved being a part of the county extension ladies groups, being a member for 53 years. Her first FCE club, the Ranch Belles, forged lasting friendships, even when the club dissolved. She was then asked to join the Nite Lites and was active until her passing. The club has always been a blessing for the community through donations, scholarships, writing contests for elementary schoolchildren too numerous to mention. The funds were earned through the sales of the FCE Community Calendar, for which Marvel began selling ads every year since its inception in 1980. This year marks the 44th year the calendar will go to print.

Marvel enjoyed gatherings, no matter what kind. Family birthdays, Christmas, Easter, reunions, graduations, weddings, showers, concerts, dances and plays would find her planning, cooking, sewing, organizing and just taking in the fun. She was an active member of the Springview Red Hatters Chapter for many years and attended the After Five Club. Marvel was a strong woman of faith as an active member of the United Methodist Church, choir and bible study in Springview, a faithful member of Faith Chapel in Springview until its dissolution, and attended New Hope Community Church until her passing. She believed God had a plan for everything and Jesus was her salvation. It was evident as she calmly and serenely left this earth held in the arms of Jesus.

Marvel was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; her parents; brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald (Lucille) McCoy, Clayton (Freda) McCoy, Chester “Chet” (Jane) McCoy, Harlan (Bernadine) McCoy, Wayne (Lynn) McCoy, Robert E. “Buck” (Norma) McCoy; parents-in law, Glenn and Lona Forgey; brother-in-law, Walt Sexton; sisters-in-law, Elaine Forgey and Bessie McCoy; nieces, Beverly Sietins and Karen Peden; nephews, Jay McCoy, Jeff McCoy, Robert McCoy, Phil McCoy, Tim McCoy and Tom Sexton.

Left to mourn her untimely passing are Marvel’s children, Teresa (Dale) Luse of Lincoln, NE, Dr. Dean (Debbie) Forgey of Lincoln, and Debra (Doug) Douglas of Valentine, NE; sister, Fern Sexton of Hanover, IN; brother-in-law, Lyle Forgey of Springview; grandchildren, Jason (Beth) Rutar of Springview, Stacy (Mark) Stenka of Lincoln, Shawna Rutar of Lincoln, Ryan (Devlin Limbach) Rutar of Lincoln, Derek (Melissa) Forgey of Lincoln, Dr. Amanda Forgey of Lincoln and Megan (Yuki) Hata of Japan; step-grandson, Seth Luse of Eagle, NE; great-grandchildren, Alexis (Rope Anders) Rutar, Jenna (Bryan Keller) Rutar, McKinzie Rutar, Larissa Rutar, Joslyn Stenka, Bryton Stenka, Clara Forgey, Delia Forgey and Henry Forgey; nieces, nephews and other family members.



Funeral Services were held Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Keya Paha County High School Gymnasium in Springview, officiated by Pastor Tim Wyrick. Music was provided by a CD recording of piano arrangement by Fern Sexton. The service began with the CD selection of “Love, Me” by Collin Raye.. Video Music Selections “Seven Minutes in Heaven” by Reba McEntyre, “Down to the River to Pray” by Alison Kraus, “Hymn of Heaven” by Phil Wickham and “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me” written by David Romano and read by Tom O’Bedlam were played. Casketbearers were Jason Rutar, Mark Stenka, Ryan Rutar, Devlin Limbach, Derek Forgey and Rope Anders. Honorary Casketbearers were Carl Chase, Lance Hespe, Stan Weidner, Dave Lang,e, Dennis Pick, Bob Beggs and all of Marvel’s other family and friends. Organizational Rites were performed by Bethany Chapter #113, Order of the Eastern Star. Interment followed in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Springview. Memorials were suggested to the family in Marvel’s name. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth was in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com