Chance J. Wickett of Valentine, Nebraska, passed away at his home on June 17, 2019. Chance was born in Valentine, Nebraska, on July 16, 1967.  Chance went to grade school in Laurel, Nebraska, followed by one year at Ohiowa, Nebraska, then Lakeview, South Dakota, and then junior high school and high school in Valentine, Nebraska.  Chance married Christina Ferris Wickett on January 1, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Chance worked at the Valentine Locker for ten years right out of high school.  Additionally, he was practically born a business entrepreneur selling nightcrawlers at his own bait shop (a shed on Merritt Dam Road) in junior high school, his own dog food business, and eventually his own construction business, Wickett Construction, LLC, that he continues to operate for over 25 years.  Chance had a close relationship with God.  His hobbies included fishing, hunting, cooking, baking, barbequing, gardening, canning, and playing his guitar.  Chance was preceded in death by his brother, Chad, and his grandparents, Ed and Luella Frey, Neva Wickett, Bill Wickett and Hazel Wickett.  Chance is survived by his parents, Gary and Carolyn (Frey) Wickett of Valentine; his wife, Christie (Ferris) Wickett, his step-daughter, Kennedie Engles, his sisters, Carey Wickett, of Grand Island, NE, Shannon (Tommy) Broom of Valentine, and Crystal (Jake) Higgins of Valentine, nieces, Sidney Higgins and Mercedes Wickett, nephews, Coby Higgins and Spencer Broom, and his two dogs, Kat Wickett and Rio Dee Wickett.

A few thing you may or may not know about Chance written by his wife, Christie:

-His family came first, and by family I mean very extended family and all friends. He would do anything for his family

-He was an extremely brave man, not scared of anything, and definitely not scared of cancer, which he was diagnosed with in January of 2018, and fought like a warrior every step of the way.

-Chance did not have a mean bone in his body, considering he was one of the strongest men in the area. He was a gentle giant, teddy bear kinda guy, but didn't necessarily like being called that.

-Chance loved nature and all animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, cows, chickens, ducks, a goose, goats, birds and a big pond filled with fish he loved to feed from the dock.

-Chance loved to entertain and cook for groups of people, the bigger the group, the better. He cooked, baked, fried, barbequed and canned.  He was always delivering his homemade goodies to people he loved.  When Chance cooked however, the mess he made in the kitchen was nothing like I've ever seen before.  You would definitely have to see it to believe it.

-Chance was the most generous and caring quiet guy!

-He had a very great sense of smell and always smelled really good!

-Chance was the most trusting soul ever. He gave everyone a second, and sometimes third and fourth, chance if they needed it.

-Chance was thee best friend a person could have! Those lucky enough to be called his friend  know who you are and probably why you are all here today.

-He had an imagination that was amazing and used it well. He was extremely talented and always trying to come up with new business ventures

-Chance could eat a meal faster than anyone I've ever seen, and still always enjoyed a good meal.

-Chance really loved hunting, fishing and loving every day (including Luke Bryan) and loved of listening to music, playing his guitar and singing. He had a wonderful deep voice.

-Not everyone knew he had thee most gorgeous ice blue eyes :)

-Chance also was a pro at spoiling me, his wife, and of course I loved everything about that man.