Heaton, Michael Patricia Heaton, Michael Patricia Sep 7, 1941 - Dec 3, 2017 Passed away at Hospice House in Omaha at the age of 76 after a short, but brave, battle with acute lymphocytic leukemia. She was born in Kearney to Eugene Paul Gilgen, and Phyllis Rochelle (Sullivan) Gilgen. The family lived in Kearney and operated a farm in Upland, NE. She graduated from Kearney High in 1958 and attended Kearney State College where she received a BA degree in French and English in 1962. On June 3, 1961, she married Michael Paul Heaton Sr. of Sidney, NE. The "Mikes" were together for 26 years and raised three children. They lived in Lexington until 1966, when they moved to Omaha. She worked at UNO as a secretary for three decades and retired in 2001. In 1994, she met Henry F. Serenco of Omaha and was remarried on June 21, 2001. They were together 23 years until her death. During retirement, she enjoyed traveling and had numerous craft hobbies, including making jewelry, crocheting, and quilting. Michael was a sweet and loving person who could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger at any time. She was creative with crafts and always making something for a friend or family member. She was an early adopter "techie", loved all the Apple products, and owned most of them. She was a kind lady with a great sense of humor and endured countless confused telemarketers who found it hard to believe she was actually named Michael. She is survived by her husband, Henry; ex-husband, Michael; and children: Michael Paul Heaton Jr. (Maureen), of Clay Center, NE; Marcia Phyllis (Heaton) Massey, of Aurora, CO; and Matthew Peter Heaton (Marcianne), of Stilwell, KS. Surviving grandchildren include: Kylie, James, and Sean Heaton; Vernon, Shala, Macia, and Marisa Massey; and Connor Heaton. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren. Michael is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Gordon Ben Gilgen. She donated her body to UNMC for research. Her ashes will be interred in Upland NE. A memorial site was created for her at www.Legacy.com. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (website www.lls.org/),
I remeber her well when we were young her home was in one of the funeral homes in Kearney and for some reason some of us thought was a fun place o go and play the organ etc . then I do remember a few slumbe parties that she attented @ Sue Holberts house . Lost track over the years Prayers for her family ... Sharon
Lynn Miller
Heaton, Michael PatriciaHeaton, Michael Patricia Sep 7, 1941 - Dec 3, 2017 Passed away at Hospice House in Omaha at the age of 76 after a short, but brave, battle with acute lymphocytic leukemia. She was born in Kearney to Eugene Paul Gilgen, and Phyllis Rochelle (Sullivan) Gilgen. The family lived in Kearney and operated a farm in Upland, NE. She graduated from Kearney High in 1958 and attended Kearney State College where she received a BA degree in French and English in 1962. On June 3, 1961, she married Michael Paul Heaton Sr. of Sidney, NE. The "Mikes" were together for 26 years and raised three children. They lived in Lexington until 1966, when they moved to Omaha. She worked at UNO as a secretary for three decades and retired in 2001. In 1994, she met Henry F. Serenco of Omaha and was remarried on June 21, 2001. They were together 23 years until her death. During retirement, she enjoyed traveling and had numerous craft hobbies, including making jewelry, crocheting, and quilting. Michael was a sweet and loving person who could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger at any time. She was creative with crafts and always making something for a friend or family member. She was an early adopter "techie", loved all the Apple products, and owned most of them. She was a kind lady with a great sense of humor and endured countless confused telemarketers who found it hard to believe she was actually named Michael. She is survived by her husband, Henry; ex-husband, Michael; and children: Michael Paul Heaton Jr. (Maureen), of Clay Center, NE; Marcia Phyllis (Heaton) Massey, of Aurora, CO; and Matthew Peter Heaton (Marcianne), of Stilwell, KS. Surviving grandchildren include: Kylie, James, and Sean Heaton; Vernon, Shala, Macia, and Marisa Massey; and Connor Heaton. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren. Michael is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Gordon Ben Gilgen. She donated her body to UNMC for research. Her ashes will be interred in Upland NE. A memorial site was created for her at www.Legacy.com. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (website www.lls.org/),
Sharon Peterson (Pokorney)
I remeber her well when we were young her home was in one of the funeral homes in Kearney and for some reason some of us thought was a fun place o go and play the organ etc . then I do remember a few slumbe parties that she attented @ Sue Holberts house . Lost track over the years Prayers for her family ... Sharon