Dorothy E Harris

June 9, 1920 - March 3, 2020

Dorothy E. Harris, 99, of Bellwood, died Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at her residence in Bellwood. Memorials may be sent to the Bellwood United Methodist Church, 606 Warren Street, Bellwood, NE 68624 A Funeral lunch will be served at the old firehall in Bellwood, immediately following the graveside services. Dorothy Evangeline Harris, age 99, passed away on March 3, 2020 at her home in Bellwood, Nebraska. Dorothy was born on June 9, 1920 in Gettysburg, South Dakota. Dorothy graduated from high school in Spencer, Iowa. Following graduation, she married Leonard (Bud) Harris on June 22, 1939 in Spencer, Iowa, Initially, they farmed in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Bud started racing horses at county fairs and after his father's death, left farming to race and train thoroughbred horses full time. They were the loving parents of 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls. Following Bud's death in 1966, Dorothy continued to race horses for three years with the help of her children. She subsequently worked at Dale Electronics and D&L in Columbus. Dorothy believed you are never too old to learn something new. At the age of 66, she attended Southeast Community College and received a food service superintendent diploma. She used her education as supervisor in the kitchen at David Place in David City. She enjoyed working in food service since cooking for her twelve children helped prepare her to cook mass quantities of food. Dorothy was active in the Bellwood United Methodist Church and Rebekah Lodge. She was an avid seamstress, sewing clothes for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dorothy loved to travel and sing. Family members have loving memories of all her stories and songs. She was a wonderful teacher and powerful role model. Dorothy is survived by her sister, Nancy Gillpatrick, 6 sons: Leonard, Thomas(Midge), Charles(Janet), Davy(Deborah, Danny(Cindy Wolfe) and Roy(Denise)Harris, 4 daughters: Katherine Walton, Dorothy Cheevers, Sally Muckey and Jola(Billy)Carnes Jr; 38 Grandchildren, 99 Great-grandchildren, and 29 Great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ida(McClelland) Gillpatrick, husband, Leonard(Bud) Harris, 5 brothers: Joseph, Russel, Louis, William, and Richard Gillpatrick; 3 sisters: Cornelia Currier, Susan Morgan, and Ruth Fagen; two daughters: Sandra Rettele and Nora Jean Neely. one daughter-in-law:Sue Harris, and 4 son-in-laws: Albert Walton, Gary Cheevers, Dale Neely Sr. and Jerry Rettele.