Dorothy Darelene Nelson
09-12-1927 to 10-28-2019
Linn County News
Published Oct. 30, 2019
Dorothy Darelene (Keith) Nelson, 92, passed away Oct. 28, 2019, at the Life Care Center in Osawatomie, Kan. Dorothy was born Sept. 12, 1927, to Paul Weisner and Lottie May (Hutton) Keith on the family farm in Miami County, Kan.
Dorothy attended Hawkeye Country School, a one-room schoolhouse, then the La Cygne High School, graduating in 1945. While in high school, she met the love of her life, William (Bill) Hobart Nelson, from Drexel, Mo., at the Drexel Roller Rink where Bill worked as a skate boy during his high school years. Upon graduation from high school and while Bill served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, Dorothy went to Pittsburg State University where she obtained her teaching certificate and thereafter taught first through eighth grade at the Hawkeye Country School she had once attended. She then furthered her education at Ursuline College in Paola, Kan.
When Bill returned from the Navy, they married on Aug. 17, 1946, at the Methodist Church in Paola. Dorothy, who always wanted to leave the farm and live in the “big city,” convinced Bill to move to Kansas City following their wedding, where Dorothy worked part time in the office of Montgomery Ward before starting their family. They returned to La Cygne in 1956 to raise their four children. Dorothy and Bill skated together down life’s highway until Bill passed away on April 29, 2008.
Dorothy loved being a teacher, leader and organizer. The La Cygne public school did not offer kindergarten, so Dorothy was instrumental in opening a private kindergarten at the Calvary Baptist Church, La Cygne, in 1962 where she taught until the public school offered a kindergarten class. Several of her students from the 1962 class attended their beloved teacher's 85th birthday celebration. Thereafter, she taught for the Head Start Program in Pleasanton, Kan., and was director of the Mid-America Nutrition Program for La Cygne, supporting Meals on Wheels. She also enjoyed cooking for the Swan Manor residents and children attending the Prairie View Elementary School.
She was a very active member of the LaCygne Calvary Baptist Church, teaching Sunday school for 57 years. She also served as trustee and the first and only (to date) woman deacon for the church. She belonged to the American Baptist Women’s Association, leading mission projects, organizing church events and many other activities. She also loved music and enjoyed playing the piano for church. A collector of lighthouses, symbolizing the light of Christ, the church named their library “The Lighthouse” in Dorothy’s honor for her years of service and dedication.
Dorothy loved spending time with family and hosting dinners. There was always a place at the Nelson table, whether it was following church on Sunday, on a holiday, or feeding the football team before a Friday night game. She also enjoyed many trips to Branson, Mo., with Bill.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Keith Nelson (wife Sherry) of Ottawa, Kan., Nancy Thomason (husband Max) of Stockton, Mo., Robin Duncan of Overland Park, Kan., and Steve Nelson (wife Mary) of Parkville, Mo.; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; three great, great grandchildren; a sister, Norma Lee (Keith) Pease, of Linn Valley, Kan.; and a host of other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson Jason Nelson and granddaughter Kristie (Nelson) Batten.
Visitation will be at the Calvary Baptist Church, 320 Locust St., La Cygne, from 10-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the church, Rev. Roger Robertson officiating. Burial will be at the Oaklawn Cemetery, La Cygne.
The family suggests contributions to Calvary Baptist Church ABW Dorothy Nelson Memorial Fund or Good Shepherd Hospice, in care of Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040.
OBITUARIES
Robert “Bob” Eugene Markley ~ 04-11-1936 to 04-15-2024
Linn County News Published April 17, 2024 Robert (Bob) Eugene Markley, 88, was born on his family farm north of Mound City, Kansas, April 11, 1936, to Aaron R. and Hallie (Bell) Markley. He passed from this life on April, 15, 2024, at the very place he was born,... [More]
Ronald Joe Smith ~ 05-10-1944 to 04-11-2024
Linn County News Published April 17, 2024 Ronald Joe Smith, 79, LaCygne, Kan., passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan. Visitation will be 10 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2024, at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner,... [More]
Mary Tinsley ~ 12-15-1935 to 04-09-2024
Linn County News Published April 10, 2024 I, Mary Tinsley; being of sound mind and steadfast in my faith died today. My body decided to give out. Here I am, onto my next adventure, carried home to heaven by these wonderful angels shouting, ‘She is here, She... [More]
More Obituaries
- Frederick John “Fritz” Johanning, Jr. ~ 08-10-1948 to 03-26-2024
- Doris Maxine Basore ~ 01-02-1920 to 03-10-2024
- Janice (Good) Waltmire ~ 08-20-1937 to 03-09-2024
- Richard Lee Strader ~ 06-08-1974 to 02-24-24
- Robert William Harper, Jr. ~ 07-14-1947 to 02-24-2024
- Richard Eldon Baldwin ~ 07-21-1963 to 03-04-2024
- Michael Barry Hixon, Sr. ~ 08-31-1952 to 01-31-2024
- Charles Vernon Rowe ~ 08-14-1930 to 02-26-2024
NEWS
Commissioners appoint new county counselor
The Linn County Commissioners held several interviews in executive session following their meeting on Monday, Apr. 15, for the position of county counselor, legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners. This week the commissioners appointed Mark Hagen, of Hagen Law Offices,... [More]
La Cygne accepts desludging cost
Biosolid removal at lagoons part of major sewer project La Cygne city leaders have accepted a cost for desludging at two of the city’s three wastewater lagoons. In a unanimous action at their regular meeting last Wednesday, the council approved $412,400 for... [More]
USD 362 sets capacity numbers
District now prepares for lottery applications Prairie View Unified School District 362 has set capacity numbers for the 2024-25 school year. At their monthly meeting April 16, the board of education unanimously adopted capacity of 80 students per grade level at... [More]
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SPORTS
Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
The Prairie View softball team played three double-headers this past week. On April 15 they hosted Paola and swept the Panthers 16-7 and 8-7. Then on April 16 they traveled to Osage City and split against them losing the first game 4-10 and winning the second 6-3. On April 18... [More]
Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
The Pleasanton baseball team recently played league foes St. Paul and Oswego and swept them each in double-headers. On April 15 the team traveled to St. Paul and won both games 13-1 and 16-3 and then on April 22 they hosted Oswego and won both games 15-0 and 17-2. In the... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View track has strong performance at Anderson County
- Jayhawk track wins Pleasanton Invitational
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- Jayhawk softball sweeps Crest
- Prairie View track takes on tough challenge at Paola
- Pleasanton baseball routs Yates Center
- Pleasanton baseball starts season 4-0
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Central Heights, splits against Uniontown
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