Dorothy Jean Rine Fales, age 84 of York, Nebraska, formerly of Melbourne, Arkansas and Basset, Nebraska, passed away Friday, April 12, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family. Jean was born June 14, 1928 in Lewistown, Montana to Murray and Lulla (Dodd) Rine. The family included: brother Gerald and sisters Mildred and Grace. Drought, grasshoppers, and lack of available schooling caused the family to move back to Nebraska in 1936. Her Grandpa John Wesley Rine bought a farm east of Farnam for the family where they moved in, sight unseen. Jean attended country grade schools and later graduated from Farnam High School in 1946. On December 1, 1957 Jean married Warren Fales at the Baptist Church in Gothenburg, Nebraska. This was a loving marriage that has grown over the past 55 years. Jean gave Warren her full love and support, following him in the many adventures that came their way.

Their first home was at Gates, Nebraska where both Jean and Warren taught the local two room consolidated country school. Jean taught the lower grades, while Warren taught the upper grades.

Jean had a strong passion for teaching, especially the younger children. This was the career she followed for many years, teaching in small country schools near to places like Gordon, Gates, Newport, Gregory, Sparks, and Bassett. While teaching was her passion, she also made it fun. Many games were adopted into her learning environment. Before recess each morning, all the errors from the previous days homework had to be reworked to her satisfaction. While the younger children were her specialty, even the tall strapping 8th grade boys were no match for her as Warren was informed by one boy’s father who told him that Jean had disciplined his son with a 2x4. Obviously this was many years ago. Jean was always working, making the best out of what life gave her, seeing the good out of everything, with a smile on her face. Jean loved garage and rummage sales. There was always a treasure there waiting for her to find. She would box up her treasures in any empty old box she could find and make them into gifts for her children and grandchildren. Jean would make cards for everyone; taking hours looking through magazines for pictures that she would cut out, then patiently incorporate into a message in her home made card.

Jean was active in her church where she taught the younger children and played the piano for the worship service. Her Christian spirit showed in her version of swearing. It was either "Bug Juice" or "Oh Pooo". In Arkansas, she was actively involved in the community aid distribution center. Jean was known for her excellent housekeeping abilities. Kitchen floors were always dust mopped. Window shades had to be perfectly horizontally matched. Spring cleaning meant washing all windows, window sills, mop boards, light fixtures.

Jean is survived by her husband Warren of 55 years of York and her four daughters: Carolyn and Dave Nelson of Lincoln, NE, Jacque and Tom Shotkoski of Lincoln, NE, Marilyn and Don Hayes of Martell, NE, and Barbara and Lennie Devine of Grand Island, NE; 9 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Jean is preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, and one grandchild.

Jean was laid to rest at the Moulton Cemetery, Taylor, Nebraska.

Jean spent many days away from those she loved. She always said to look up at the moon at night, know that she was looking at the same moon, and that she loved us.

Metz Mortuary