Dora Danehey

Dora Elizabeth (Dye) Danehey, was born Oct. 6, 1921, to Millard Roy Dye and Sarah Jane “Sannie” (Hayes) Dye in Alban Township, Nuckolls County, Neb. She diedThursday, April 15, at the Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud.

Dora grew up on her parents farm outside of Mt. Clare. She spent her childhood helping on the farm, playing baseball with the local children, and riding horses. Dora attended country school at District 51, Antelope School until the eighth grade. She graduated in 1940 from Superior High School. During her high school years Dora stayed with her grandmother, Dora Hayes, and aunts, Annabelle Tavenner and Edna Hayes at their home in Superior.

After teaching school at Bostwick, Dora went to work at the Broadstone Hospital in Superior. While working at the hospital Dora met her future husband, Eugene “Gene” Danehey.

Dora and Gene married on Oct. 4, 1949. After their honeymoon to the Pacific Coast, the couple made their home on their farm east of Cowles. They raised their family of six children on the farm.

The Danehey family was involved with the local 4-H club and showed a variety of livestock at the Webster County Fair.

Dora gardened extensively with large patches of potatoes and strawberries that she generously provided to neighbors and acquaintances. She also tended an orchard on the farm and canned various jams and preserves.

Dora was a caretaker her entire life. She cared for her father, Millard Dye, during his last years. Dora’s Aunt Annabelle lived with the Danehey family after a stroke severely debilitated her. Dora believed in caring for those in need, and her nurse training helped her with these tasks.

When Gene’s health failed, Dora moved to Westgate Manor in Blue Hill. While in Blue Hill, Dora volunteered at the nursing home and worked at the Blue Hill school cafeteria. Dora devoted much of her time to her growing number of grandchildren.

While at Westgate, Dora was elected to the Board of Commissioners for the

Housing Authority. She also was on the Resident Council at Westgate.

During her later years Dora traveled extensively to see her many family members. She traveled within the Midwest, along the Eastern Seaboard,

through the Southwest and Hawaii.

Dora was preceded in death by her parents, Millard and Sannie Dye; spouse, Gene Danehey; brothers, Millard Roy Jr., Isaac “Ike,” Faye “Fuzz,” and Ralph “Bud;” and two great-grandchildren.

Survivors are sons, Tom of Tucson, Ariz.; Pat of Bladen, Neb.; Bob of Kansas; Mike of Red Cloud; and daughters, Jane Brooks of Willmington, Del.; and Nancy Claar of Sioux Falls, S. D.; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held at 10:30 am., Friday, at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud. Internment will be at the Red Cloud Cemetery.