Mereta J. Duncan

June 11, 1925--Feb. 21, 2011

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Mereta June Duncan, 85, died Monday (Feb. 21, 2011), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

She was born June 11, 1925, in McCook, the daughter of the late Albert and Amy (Parker) Musgrave. Mereta grew up in Danbury, Nebraska where she graduated from Danbury High School in 1942.

She began teaching in rural school and later continued her education graduating from McCook Junior College and Kearney State Teachers College. She continued teaching for 33 years.

In 1945, Mereta married Erwin Cathcart in Oberlin, Kansas. She later married Arthur Duncan on May 28, 1960 in Oberlin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur on Dec. 6, 1970; a daughter, Kay Schlagel on March 17, 2010; brothers, Hollis and Hiram Musgrave; and sisters, Ruth Eason and Jesse Miller.

Mereta is survived by five daughters, Jacqueline Wagner and husband, Raymond of Enid, Oklahoma, Marilyn Herr of Casper, Wyoming, Shirley Smith of Denver, Colorado, Linda Gull and husband, John of McCook, and Judy Leibbrandt and husband, Rocky of Danbury; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and relatives and friends.

Visitation is today until 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Herrmann Funeral Home.

Cremation is Thursday and memorial services are Friday, 10:30 a.m., at Herrmann Memorial Chapel in McCook with the Rev. Lance Clay officiating. Inurnment is in the Danbury and Marion Cemetery in Danbury.

Memorials may be given in her name and left at the funeral home.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.