Dorothy Mae Ervin

November 20, 1926 - April 21, 2017

DOROTHY MAE ERVIN, 90 of Ogallala, NE, passed away Friday, April 21, 2017 at Ogallala Community Hospital. Dorothy was born November 20, 1926 at Oconto, Nebraska to Henry and Dora (Helmuth) Reiselman. The family moved to Roscoe in Dorothy's formative years where Dorothy attended District East 15 Elementary School North of Roscoe. During 1941-1946 Dorothy and her sisters along with many other local young women greeted military service members bound for war . The trains stopped at the Union Pacific Railroad station. Upon where soldiers were provided homemade meals at the North Platte Canteen. Upon graduating from Ogallala High School. Dorothy began a twenty-year business career at Ogallala's Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. Initially, as an operator and culminated as the predominant receptionist. Dorothy was united in matrimony to Donald Harrison Ervin in Ogallala on June 24, 1947. Upon Dorothy's retirement from Northwestern Bell, she spent twenty years in communications at TRW/American Shizuki alongside her husband (who was an electronic engineer). She accompanied her husband, Don, to Guadalajara, Mexico where they presided over the start-up of Shizuki's new plant. After a three year term in Mexico the couple retired in Ogallala. As a devout Catholic, Dorothy's devotion to her faith was witnessed in the tireless dedication of an accumulation of sixty years, which included being head of the Altar Society as well as chair of the Funeral Dinner Committee for fifteen years at St. Luke's Catholic Church. Dorothy retired her duties at the age of seventy-eight. Along with her husband, Don, they were tireless supporters of their community and volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the Blood Mobile as well as transporting local residents to medical appointments. They could also be found greeting visitors at the Kenfield Brother's Petrified Wood Museum. However, Dorothy's star was truly illuminated in her thirty's, when she performed at Front Street with the cancan dance group for visiting tourists. Dorothy's faith and her love for her family were equally balanced in her life. She was a beloved wife and dedicated mother with extraordinary culinary skills making her an accomplished cook, famously preparing meals from original recipes. The importance of family mealtime was cemented into the fabric of the Ervin home life. Family gatherings were always adorned with Dorothy's memorable confectionery creations. Dorothy was an avid bridge player, who also enjoyed crafting and in good weather she could be seen playing a round of golf at the Ogallala Country Club. Dorothy was a savvy investor with consummate skills in budgeting. It was her mastery of finances that endowed her with the expertise of harnessing the Ervin household budget to include a lifetime of exquisite wardrobes. The Ervin children are proud to state that their mom, Dorothy was a true fashionista throughout her lifetime. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Don in 2016; her parents, Henry and Dora Reiselman; brother, Richard Reiselman; and sister, Kate Dickey. Survivors include her children, Linda Cameron of Taos, NM, Thomas (Paula) Ervin of Taos, NM, & Ron (Janie) Ervin of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren, Tami (Dave) Stieger, Jason (Angie) Ervin, Sean H. Ervin, Jessica Cameron, & Taylor C. Ervin; great-grandchildren, Katarina and Nicolas Gragert, Lynsey, Jacob, Zachary and Adyson Ervin; sisters, Fern Troy of Bothel, WA, and Bernadine (Gerald) Werner of Grant, NE. A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences can be shared online at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday April 29, 2017 at 10:30 am at St. Luke's Catholic Church with Father Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Burial will follow in the Ogallala Cemetery . Visitation will be on Friday, April 28, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Prairie Hills Funeral Home, and a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm at St. Luke's Catholic Church. Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.