Dolores Lavonne Lawson

Dolores L. Lawson, age 95, of Hayes Center, NE passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025 at Hillcrest Caring Center in McCook, NE.

Dolores Lavonne (Rothmeyer) Lawson, the daughter of Alvin Reese and Mary (Sughroue) Rothmeyer was born at the home of her grandparents, Frank and Mary Rothmeyer in McCook on October 22, 1929. She was the oldest of seven children. Dolores grew to womanhood on the family farm in Decatur County, Kansas and attended a one-room school, District 98, also known as Fairview, and graduated from Decatur Community High School, Oberlin, KS, in 1947. Dolores went on to attend Creighton University School of Nursing, Omaha, NE. She was employed at St. Catherine’s Hospital and by Dr. E.F. Leininger’s Office as a registered nurse prior to her marriage.

On January 8, 1955, Dolores and Dean Lawson of Hayes Center, NE were married at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in McCook. They were the first couple to be married in the new church. Dean and Dolores met on a June weekend, 1952, when Dean was home while serving in the Army, stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas, and Dolores was home from college. The couple was blessed with three sons and two daughters, all of whom worked on the farm over the years, truly making it a family farm. They raised Angus Cattle, feed and grains. The family made their home on the Lawson family farm and ranch north of Hayes Center, later moving south of Hayes Center, continuing the farm and ranch business.

Dolores was active in the family business, the community and her church, and worked part time as the Hayes Center School Nurse for twenty-nine years. She was a member of the Central Nebraska School Nurse Association. Dolores kept her RN License in force for sixty-two years by working at the school in her “retirement” years.

Dolores was a member of rural Sacred Heart Catholic Church for some forty years before transferring to Holy Family Catholic Church in Palisade, NE following her husband’s death in 1999. She volunteered as an EMT for the local fire department, served on the Altar Society at Sacred Heart, and spent time working with youth through the Clip and Cook Extension Club and local 4H club. Dolores was instrumental in establishing the Hayes Center Senior Center and also served on the Hayes Center School Board for two terms.

Dolores and Dean enjoyed travels to Hawaii, Ireland and Europe. Dolores enjoyed her travels to China and the Holy Land.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dean Lawson; two sisters, Ann (John) Jones and Lorene (Ted) Phillips; four brothers, Al Rothmeyer, Wayne Rothmeyer, Larry Rothmeyer and Gary Rothmeyer; sister in law, Ilah (Charles) Rice; and a great grandson, Evan Anderson.

Those left to celebrate her life include her children, Timothy Dean (Lisa) Lawson of Hayes Center, NE, Edward Allan Lawson of Hayes Center, NE, Douglas Ray (Betty) Lawson of Broken Arrow, OK, Mary Martha Lawson of Ogallala, NE and Michaela Marie Lawson of Bartlesville, OK; sister in laws, Judy Rothmeyer of Mill Creek, WA, Saundra Rothmeyer of Leavenworth, KS and Connie Rothmeyer of Olive Branch, MS. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, Ashley (Cory) Gerken, Ethan (Kaitlan) Lawson, Levi Lawson, Daniel (Tori) Anderson, Austin (Penny) Lawson, Adam (Shayne) Lawson, Alex ( Kait Heinemann) Lawson, Allyson (Todd Chase) Lawson, Reese Lawson and Valeska Lawson; sixteen great grandchildren, Kollin and Kyler Lewis, Wren, Diem, Grant and Briggs Lawson, Elijah, Emme and Enzo Anderson, Hailey, Aaron, Brent, Emma and Parker Lawson, and Bennett and Jamison Lawson; as well as many other extended family members.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hayes Center Volunteer Fire Department, 500 Tate Ave, Hayes Center, NE 69032 or the Mihm Hall, Road 733A, Palisade, NE 69040.