Dorothy Reese
Dorothy Mae Reese, 94, of Ogallala, Neb. passed away June 17, 2022, at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.
Dorothy was born on March 12, 1928, the daughter of George and Molly (Eckhardt) Frick in Culbertson, Neb. Dorothy grew up and attended school in Culbertson, graduating from Culbertson High School in May 1946.
On October 19, 1947, she married Dwayne Reese in Culbertson, Neb. They owned the Midget Cafe in Culbertson, which she ran while Dwayne taught school north of town. In 1949, they moved to Dresden, Kan., where she became the head cook at the school where Dwayne taught. They moved to St. Francis, Kan., for a time, and then moved to Denver so Dwayne could earn his teaching degree.
In 1956, they moved to Ogallala,Neb., and after substitute teaching for a while, Dorothy decided to finish her college education. She graduated from Chadron State College in 1966 after many summers attending summer school. Dorothy later returned to college for an endorsement in special education.
Dorothy taught in District 18, north of Ogallala, for four years and then Ogallala Public Schools for 23 years. She taught fourth grade, physical education, high school special education, and speed reading for college-bound students. Dorothy was also the sponsor of Girls GAA. In 1976, she was recognized as Special Education Teacher of the Year.
Dorothy was a 5O+ year member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. She was active in women’s fellowship, Jumble Shop, funeral dinner committee, and RSVP. She was a past member of Kappa Gamma Sorority, a TOPS member for many years, and always enjoyed her pinochle card group. While her children were young, she taught Sunday School, was a Girl Scout leader and was a Boy Scout den mother.
Dorothy enjoyed dancing, and they attended many dances around the country. They both loved traveling and had traveled all over the world, assisting Dwayne with hosting tours on their different trips. After retirement, they traveled to their winter home in McAllen, Texas, and the rest of the year in Ogallala. They enjoyed the many friends they made in their winter home.
Survivors include one daughter, Terry and her husband, Dale Larington of Ogallala; one son, Troy Reese and his wife Pennie of Grant, Neb.; one sister-in-law Helen Frick of Florida. Grandchildren are Stacie (Jimmy) Rash of Doniphan, Neb., Lance (Carlene) Larington of Ogallala, Jason (Adair) Reese, Shana (Todd) Kraus of Grant.
Great-grandchildren are Olivia (Dylan) Mayfield and Sidney Rash, DeVere and Reese Larington, Ava and Alec Reese, Austin and Alexa Kraus; many nieces and nephews around the country.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dwayne; two brothers, Robert (Doris Frick Welch) Frick, and Wilbert Frick, sister and brothers-in-law, Rev. Hardy (Jean) Reese, and Charles (Bonnie) Musick.
Memorials are suggested to the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ogallala in Dorothy’s memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Services were Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Ogallala, with Pastor Lisa Hadler officiating. Interment was at 2:15 p.m. CST at the Hayes Center Cemetery at Hayes Center, Neb.
Visitation was on Monday, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.