Stokes, Delores M. Dec 18, 1930 - Dec 14, 2018 Preceded in death by husband, E. L. "Lew" Stokes. Survived by children: Sandra Schoville (Perly), Kriss Shaffer (Tom), Denise Manners (Bob), Valerie Wiles; 15 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Monday, Dec. 17th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel. SERVICES: Tuesday, Dec. 18th at 10:30am, West Center Chapel. Interment, Hillcrest. Memorials will be directed by the family. HEAFEY-HOFFMANN-DWORAK-CUTLER, WEST CENTER CHAPEL 7805 W. Center Rd. 402-391-3900 www.heafeyheafey.com

#2-Published in the Pilot-Tribune December 18, 2018

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Delores “Dee” Marie Stokes, formerly of Omaha and Blair, died on Friday, Dec. 14, just four days short of her 88th birthday. Dee was a unique lady, loving people whether you had a little or a lot. She lived a life of complete service through her love of Jesus, continuing until her death. She never passed a person without a smile and a friendly hello. She never met a stranger.

She served as a delegate to our Nation’s presidential campaign, won Volunteer of the Year award in Washington County in 2009, showing her family how to live life to the fullest independent of circumstance.

Dee placed her faith in Jesus Christ, believing in Him and His promises. She showed love for Jesus, by loving others.

She read to the blind, took into her home those in need, from a soldier’s wife and child, to grandchildren who needed her. She helped care for a special needs granddaughter, lent her vehicle, carpooled grandkids, babysat, painted rooms and she made every grandchild a blanket. She hosted holidays into her 80’s, brought meals and donated both money and time.

Dee never saw a weed that could not stand to be pulled, regardless of where or when. She maintained a meticulous home. Dee was rarely on time, however she rarely wasted a moment if it could be avoided. A tireless worker, she burned many a midnight candle.

Dee retired from the Harry A. Koch Company handling bonds. Her work history was impeccable although her time clock was her own.

Her greatest legacy is shown in Matthew 22:34-40 “Love your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might and your neighbor as yourself.” These verses typify Dee, widowed at the age of 60. Broken hearted after the death of the love of her life, Lew Stokes, she told her daughters, she had to make a new life for herself. Carrying the grief to her grave she did just that. She lived independently built a new home and maintained an acreage near Blair. She became involved in Church and continued to impact her family and community.

She maintained a great sense of humor, laughed at herself to the end. She was fun, living life to the best no matter what she faced.

Dee was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Les Nelsen; by her husband, Elwin (Lew) Stokes; her brother, Les Nelsen; and son-in-law, Kirk Wiles. She is survived by four daughters, Sandra (Perly) Schoville, Kriss (Tom) Shaffer, Denise (Bob) Manners, Val Wiles; grandchildren, Lanette Rybin, Michaela (Keith) Matzen, Sasha (Lance) Schillcutt, Leah (TJ) Dick, Sonora Schoville, Jessie Burns, Heath (Margie) Shaffer, Chad (Kendra) Shaffer, Travis (Rachel) Manners, Rachel (Trevor) Huddleston, Sara Manners, Joshua Wiles, Jacob Wiles, Janna (Billy) Thompson and Kirk Wiles; 34 great-grandchildren and seven great-greatgrandchildren.

Services will be at Heafy, Hoffman, Dworak, Cutler Mortuary at 7805 West Center Road. Visitation was on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the funeral service on her 88th birthday at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 18, 2018, also at the West Center Chapel, interment at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Memorials are directed to the family.

FindaGrave Memorial #195379712

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~