Dorothy May Nielsen, 95, of Elwood, Nebraska, died Friday, September 19, 2008, at Elwood Care Center in Elwood.

She was born May 5, 1913, at Curtis, Nebraska, to Donald and Ella Nora (Strickland) Nelson.

Dorothy was a 1933 graduate of the Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis, Nebraska. She was united in marriage to Lloyd Scharf on April 4, 1935, at Farnam, Nebraska. Five children were born to this union; Kay, Lloydelle, Donald, Ronald, and Leonard. The family lived in California, Oregon, and Idaho. Dorothy and Lloyd divorced and Dorothy married Art Nielsen on May 21, 1953, at McCook, Nebraska. Art preceded her in death on April 18, 1981. She returned to Nebraska in 1986.

Throughout her life, Dorothy worked various jobs in the towns they lived, but her most rewarding job was raising her family. She loved her church, flowers, especially orchids, raising Parakeets and painting pictures. She never knew a stranger and always enjoyed family gatherings and being the family caretaker.

She was a member of Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington.

Survivors include three sons, Donald and Leila Scharf of Lexington, Nebraska, Ronald Scharf of Kona, Hawaii, Leonard and Nancy Scharf of Central Pointe, Oregon; two daughters, Kay and Dwaine Wilson of Phillips, Nebraska, and Lloydelle and Joe Bellamy of Elwood, Nebraska; one sister, Mildred Heath of Overton, Nebraska; seventeen grandchildren, forty-four great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Lloyd Scharf and Art Nielsen; five brothers; three sisters; two grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Funeral services were held Monday, September 22, 2008, at 11 a.m., at Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington with Pastor John Shields officiating. Burial was the same day at 2 p.m. at the Curtis Cemetery in Curtis.

Memorials are suggested to Parkview Baptist Church or the donor's choice.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.

Tri-City Tribune, 25 September 2008.