Funeral services will be held Friday for one of the leading benefactors in recent years to Chadron State College, Madge Fortune-Chicoine of Chadron, who passed away Sunday at age 88.

A native of Rushville, Madge was married to Charles Fortune for 27 years before his death in 1980 and to Vern Chicoine from 1997 until his death in 2003.

Many people knew her best from the 25 years she spent as the Activities and Social Services Director at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs before retiring in the mid-1990s, but left her mark at Chadron State after her marriage to Chicoine…a long-time businessman, rancher, and philanthropist.

Together, they were major contributors to the renovation and expansion of the old college library into the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center..with the Center’s atrium, a popular site for meetings and recitals, named in their honor.

The couple also donated Chicoine’s home across from both the college and Chadron High School to the Chadron State Foundation as a permanent home for the CSC president.

After Vern’s death, Madge continued to support a variety of Chadron State projects and attend both cultural and sporting events at the school.

Vern Chicoine’s late second wife Frances was the aunt of long-time Chadron State College information director Con Marshall, and were the primary donors to the press box named for Marshall at Elliott Field-Don Beebe Stadium.

Madge was a fixture in the President’s Box there until health problems led her to return in the past year to Pioneer Manor, this time as a resident.

Funeral services for Madge Fortune Chicoine will be Friday morning at 11:00 in the United Methodist Church in Chadron with the Reverend Al Trucano officiating.  A luncheon will follow with burial later in the day at Fairview Cemetery in Rushville.

A memorial has been established for the Madge Fortune-Chicoine Fine Arts Endowed Scholarship at CSC, the Chadron United Methodist Church, or the P.E.O. Cottey College Fund.  Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE  69337.

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements, and online condolences may be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.