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Dorothy E. Holloway

Dorothy E. Holloway, 108, formerly of Sidney, NE passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at her daughter's and son-in-law's home in Farmington, New Mexico. Her Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, March 27, 2023 at the Christ Episcopal Church in Sidney, NE with Reverend Guy Mackey officiating with interment in Greenwood Cemetery, next to her husband Leonard Cecil Holloway. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website.

Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 1 to 6 PM to leave condolences for the family. You may view Dorothy's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are asked to be given to: Sidney Educational Foundation, 1101 21st Avenue, Sidney, NE 69162 memo: Dorothy Holloway Scholarship or Fort Sidney DAR, c/o Susan Spiller, 2208 Linden, Sidney, NE 69162 memo: Scholarship.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Dorothy's care and funeral arrangements.

Dorothy E. West Holloway was born on August 4, 1914 in Medicine Bow, Carbon

County, Wyoming to William C. West and Alma Minnie (Walck) West. She graduated from Medicine Bow High School with the class of 1932. That fall she went to Denver University to study art and interior decorating for one semester. She had received the Coe scholarship when she graduated from high school so she then went to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming to get a Teacher's Certificate.

She began teaching in 1934 and taught for two years in Medicine Bow. She returned to the U of Wyo where she obtained her degree in history. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. In the fall of 1939 Dorothy had signed a new contract to continue teaching English and typing in Saratoga, Wyoming. She also signed a second "contract" to 'elope' to Kimball, Nebraska where she married

Leonard Cecil Holloway at Lovers' Leap north of town. Back in the 1930's teachers were supposed to remain "old maids" and they kept their marriage secret until she finished the school year.

By early 1942, WW II had broken out and her husband, Cecil, had become an aviation instructor for the U.S. Navy Annapolis Cadets in Laramie, Wyoming. From there it was to Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, then on to Jacksonville, Florida to the air base. While there Dorothy worked for the commander as a secretary/clerk. With the War coming to an end Dorothy boarded a bus back to Wyoming, with Cecil to follow in their '40' Ford after he "mustered out" of the Navy and he returned to work with Ohio Oil Company. They were blessed with two children, Richard Kent and Ann Elizabeth.

In 1950, Cecil was transferred from McFadden/Kyle, Wyoming to Sidney, Nebraska by Ohio Oil Company. By 1951 Dorothy was back in the classroom at Northward Grade School. Then it was Jr. / Sr. High School through 1979 teaching art, English, and journalism. She returned to Laramie in the summers of the mid-1950s to get her Masters Degree.

The family became members of The Lodgepole Valley Saddle Club in Sidney where she enjoyed riding her horses up to the age of 95. She was an original member in the Cheyennette horse drill team aboard Rex's Regal Heir which performed in Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Denver Stock Show and other rodeos and parades.

Dorothy was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church. She was the founding Regent of the Fort Sidney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 2004 she received the Spirit of Aksarben award. She also enjoyed traveling, enjoying several trips to Europe and an eye glass mission trip to Venezuela.

Others left to cherish her memories are son Richard Kent, Daughter Ann and son-in-law William A. Merrick, grandchildren Todd Holloway and wife Tammie, Scott Holloway, Kim Sommer and husband Brian, Livia Custer and husband Lance, eight great grands, three great-great grands, and ten nephews and nieces.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents William and Alma, her beloved husband Cecil, father-in-law and mother-in-law Richard L. and Rose Holloway, brother William E. West and

sister-in-law Eudine West and daughter-in-law Linda Stacey Holloway.

 

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