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Dorothy Ellen Heil-Ahern passed away peacefully at the age of 101 years young on December 12, 2021, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Community Center in Blair. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held in the Spring or Summer of 2022. The family thanks you for your heartfelt condolences.

Dorothy was born on March 13, 1920, in Santa Ana, California. Growing up in Orange County, Dorothy had the pleasure of seeing California in all the glory of the state’s early years. Orange groves, strawberry fields and endless wind breaks grown from majestic eucalyptus trees and of course, the never-ending ebb and flow of the Pacific Ocean. Along with her brother, sister, parents and many family members, Dorothy spent many beautiful summers at Newport Beach, picnicking, building sandcastles and soaking up the California sunshine.

As a young girl, Dorothy learned sewing and quilting skills from her mother and her many aunts, which she carried with her throughout her lifetime.

In the 1930’s she attended and graduated from Tustin Union High School, after which she attended the Cosmetology School of Santa Ana and became a hair designer, which path she proudly followed for over 35 years.

After her children were raised and on their own, she rediscovered her love for sewing and quilting. Most amazingly, she has sewn hundreds of quilts and quilting projects. The extra special quality and majority of her quilting was all hand sewn. She made her last quilt in 2017, at the age of 97, with all the love and attention to detail as her first. Dorothy shared her love of quilting with many family and friends, across the county from California to Pennsylvania.

Dorothy is survived by her children and their spouses: Mr. and Mrs. Chris G Rasher (Louise), Mr. John D. Rasher, Mrs. Neena L. Davis and Mr. Kenneth L. Larsen, Mrs. Meredith Quarte and Ms. Laurie Ahern; along with five grandchildren and their spouses; four step grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; as well as many beloved family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Mr. Drennan Ahern, father and mother Mr. and Mrs. Mourdant J.P. Heil (Iva J.), brother Mr. Chester Heil, sister Mrs. Hazel Moore and grandson Mr. John Andrew Rasher.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, https://act.alz.org/donate; 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or Good Shepherd Lutheran Community, 2242 Wright Street, Blair, NE 68008.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #234870699