Dorothy I. Johnson

Funeral Services for Dorothy I. Johnson will be conducted from the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Kenton Birtell, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Dorothy Ida Johnson, 102 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away at her home on Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Dorothy was born August 25, 1905 in a sod house in the Rock Falls Township, the second of five children of Louis and Louise (Drew) Regelin. She was baptized and confirmed in Oxford, Nebraska at the St. John's Lutheran Church. She received her education from rural school District #42 in Phelps County, in the Rock Falls Township. Dorothy then attended parochial school in Oxford.

Following her education, she was united in marriage to Harold P. Johnson on January 4, 1933 and to this union three daughters were born: Marlys, Karen and Marvel. They made their home on the Johnson Family Homestead southwest of Loomis, Nebraska. Dorothy focused on raising their daughters and supported Harold in the family farming operation. In 1946, they retired and moved into Holdrege, where Dorothy continued to live in the same home until meeting her Lord on her last day.

Dorothy was a caring and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. On April 13, 1990, she was preceded in death by Harold.

Dorothy was an immaculate housekeeper and continued to care for own home at the time of her passing. A large part of Dorothy's life included her love for entertaining and cooking for her family and friends. She remained active with her family even as a centenarian, enjoying weekly shopping trips, dining out and being with her family. She was a charter member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, and was recognized as the only remaining charter member during the dedication of the new addition on June 4, 2006. She had a special place in her heart for her church, and especially enjoyed having her Pastors in her home for meals. She was also a 70+ year member of the American Legion Auxiliary of the Martin-Horn Unit #66. She joined the auxiliary in 1935 through her husband, who served the U.S. in WW I.

She leaves to mourn her passing her three daughters: Marlys Harris of Holdrege, Karen Larson and her husband, Dennis of Bertrand, Nebraska and Marvel Nelson and her husband, Vernon James of Holdrege; seven grandchildren: Kevin Arehart and his wife, Sandy, Kurt Arehart, Kyle Arehart and his special friend, Ashley Mustard and her daughter, Alissa, and Keri Berry and her husband, Patrick all of Loomis, Sherri Lindstrom, Heidi Amelang and her husband, Ed and Christopher Nelson all of Holdrege; ten great-grandchildren: Kristen Smith and her husband, Lance, Kalen Arehart, Alexa and Laurel Berry, Teagan Arehart, Tyler, A.J. and Parker Lindstrom and Chloe and Chelsea Amelang; two step-grandchildren: Shoni Delaney and her husband, Troy and their daughter, Kersie and Chad Larson and his wife, Jennifer.
sister-in-law, Bernice Regelin of Holdrege; and host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her three sisters: Altha Regelin, Lorena Holste and Marie Hansel and one brother, Charles Regelin; son-in-law, James A. Harris and brother-in-law, Walter Johnson and his wife, Minnie.

Dorothy will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Friday, May 2, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.

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.