Dorothy H. Carlson

Funeral Services for Dorothy H. Carlson will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Nora Mendyk officiating. Burial will be held at the Moses Hill Cemetery in rural Loomis.

Dorothy Helen Carlson, 104 years of age, of Holdrege passed away on Monday, August 8, 2016 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.  Dorothy was born on July 18, 1912 on the family farm near Loomis, Nebraska, the fifth of six children born to Charles Benjamin "Ben" and Clara Mae (Hammon) Johnston. At the time of her birth, William Howard Taft was the President of the United States and needless to say throughout Dorothy's lifetime, enormous change has occurred. She attended school in Loomis, graduating from Loomis High School with the class of 1929.

On February 28, 1931, Dorothy was united in marriage to Earl Clifford "Peg" Carlson and to this union two children were born: Joy and Dean. The family made their home in Loomis until moving to Holdrege in 1946.

Dorothy was an active member of the Methodist Church first serving in Loomis and then at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege. She was a Charter Member of the Women's Society at church where she held several offices in Loomis and Holdrege. In addition, she sang in the choir, as well as sung at many funerals throughout the years.

She enjoyed volunteering at Holdrege Memorial Homes and Holdrege Senior Center, where she was a member and director of the band and choir. She also volunteered delivering Meals-On-Wheels and the Blood Mobile. She was a member of the Phelps County Historical Society and a Charter member of the Tre-Kroner Society. Dorothy was an avid Husker fan. She enjoyed summers at the lake with family, sewing, playing cards and her association in many clubs throughout the years formed many friendship bonds.

She was co-owner with her daughter, Joy Lilyhorn of Anderson's Women's Wear Dress Shop for over 10 years. Earl passed away February 16, 1996.

Besides her parents and husband, Earl, Dorothy was preceded in death by her sister, Irene Bocock; brothers: Frank Johnston and his wife, Gladyce, Glenn Johnston and his wife, Neville, Noel Johnston and his wife, Eva and Harry Johnston and his wife, Helen.

Dorothy is survived by her two children: Joy Lilyhorn and her husband, Jay of Holdrege and Dean Carlson and his wife, Carolyn of Highland Ranch, Colorado; five grandchildren: Jeff, Jane, Julie, Joe and Jerry; six great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandsons; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Dorothy's honor and kindly suggested to First United Methodist Church in Holdrege or the Phelps County Senior Center.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.