Margaret Burleigh “Patterson” Barger, 83, of Imperial, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Margaret was born on January 27, 1943, in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and spent most of her childhood in Morrison, Colorado. She graduated from Evergreen High School in 1961 and began her lifelong vocation of caring for others with her first job at an orphanage in Denver, Colorado. Inspired by her work there, she attended night school to become a nurse and later worked at St. Anthony Hospital.

During this time, she met the love of her life, Robert Brendon Barger. The two married and eventually moved to Imperial, Nebraska, where they built a home and raised their family. Margaret’s life was marked by quiet strength, generosity, and a deep devotion to her Catholic faith. She enjoyed birds, gardening, and painting, and she poured the same care and love into her hobbies that she did into her family and community. She would do anything in the service of others and was always ready with a listening ear, a helping hand, or a home-cooked meal.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert Brendon Barger of Imperial NE; her children Amiee Ruddell of Westlake Village CA, Patrick Barger of North Platte NE, Robert Barger of Imperial NE, Christopher Barger of North Platte NE, Maria (Charles) Willox of Springdale AR, Steve (Caroline) Barger of Omaha NE, Margaret (Arthur) Schroetlin of Lincoln NE, Monica (Troy) Hough of Lincoln NE, and Andrea (Andrew) Fiala of Lincoln NE; and her twenty-nine grandchildren, all of whom were a source of great joy and pride.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Brisbin Patterson and Margaret Burleigh “Eichengreen” Patterson.

A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, June 14 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. followed by recitation of the Rosary at 5:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Imperial. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 15 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Imperial, with Fr. Bernard Lorenz officiating. Interment to follow at Chase County Cemetery.