Peggy Jane Ekrem

Peggy Jane Ekrem was born to Collins and Vera Pickett on December 6, 1930, in Beloit, Kansas. 

Peggy always said she was fortunate growing up in the 1930’s because her father had a stable job as a pharmacist at the Rexall Drug Store in Manhattan, KS. There, amid drought and depression, her beloved brother, Dwight, was born on May 18, 1935

They moved to Longmont, Colorado in the mid 1940’s eventually settling in Arvada where Peggy’s dad bought Hudson Pharmacy and renamed it Pickett’s Pharmacy. It had a real marble soda fountain where Peggy worked as a teenager.

Peggy loved music. She learned to play the piano, sang in choirs, played bassoon and the glockenspiel in band and orchestra. In 1948 Peggy entered the Music School at Colorado University in Boulder. During school she met and married Ronald D. Hawthorne. Because of Ron’s service in the Navy, the newlywed students were able to live in the University’s “Vettsville” located on the corner of Arapahoe & Folsom until they graduated in 1952. 

Peggy and Ron moved to California where Ron enrolled in the Masters Degree/Ph.D. program at the University of California at Berkeley. Children began arriving soon after. Belinda was born on May 27, 1953 and Brian on December 29,1960. 

In 1962 the family split up and Peggy moved back to Colorado. Being a single mom with two kids was quite a challenge in the 1960s but Peggy and the kids seemed to thrive. In 1966, Peg married Robert G. Schmideler, moved to Longmont Colorado and on July, 8, 1967 Peggy’s third child, Alana was born.

But the marriage didn’t last, and Peggy once again was a single mom, but now with 3 kids, (including a teenager!). She moved back to Boulder and worked as a secretary. Mom and kids did well. Belinda was a high school valedictorian, and a talented artist, ultimately employed by a top national advertising firm. Alana graduated from college and on January 20, 1993, she blessed Peggy with the birth of Jared, Peggy’s only grandson. Brian, well, he managed to avoid incarceration!

Peggy often said the moment she met Richard T. (Dick) Ekrem she knew he was “the one.” They married in 1985. The entire Ekrem family welcomed Peggy and she loved and appreciated every one of them. Together, Dick and Peggy enjoyed an active retirement, traveling across the U.S. and Europe. Sadly, on April 5, 1991 Peggy’s best friend passed away.

Peggy remained active in her twilight years. There isn’t room here to list all the clubs and activities Peggy participated in. She never lost her passion for music and was an enthusiastic supporter of Colorado’s classical music scene. She enjoyed Opera, Orchestra and Symphony concerts, Ballroom dancing, hiking clubs and many more activities. 

Peggy is survived by her son Brian, daughter Alana and grandson Jared. Peggy was preceded in death by her daughter Belinda, who passed away early in life from complications from MS, brother Dwight and beloved husband, Richard. 

Peggy’s family would like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the staff at the Hilltop at the Commons and HopeWest Hospice for their unwavering support in providing comfort and care during her final months. 

In lieu of flowers or gifts please consider making a memorial contribution to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society https://www.nationalmssociety.org/