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Funeral services for Dora Hale, age 96, of Crawford, NE will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 6, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Crawford, NE with Pastor Dusty Sprague officiating.

Inurnment will take place at the Crawford City Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the CrawfordMethodistChurch, Crawford Historical Society, Crawford Fire Department, or the donor’s choice. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Dora passed away on June 25, 2015 at the Ponderosa Villa in Crawford, NE. The daughter of Henry and Minnie (Wright) Soester, Dora was born at the family home in DawesCounty on November 9, 1918. Her childhood was spent on her parents’ farm near Squaw Mound. She attended a rural school through the 8^th grade, then worked for her room and board during her high school years in Crawford. After graduating, she was employed at the Crawford Bakery.

Dora was an active 4-H member as a child and attended the first 4-H camp held at the CrawfordCityPark. She later served as a 4-H leader. She was also a member of the Squaw Mound Band under the direction of Bill Schmidt and often told of the band traveling to the State Fair in Lincoln in the back of a truck.

On July 23, 1938, she was united in marriage to Ellis Hale. Two children, a son Emmett, and a daughter, Pam, were born to this union.

Ellis and Dora farmed 80 acres southeast of Crawford for a few years before moving across the road to a larger farm that they rented until 1956. At that time, they moved to Crawford, where Dora lived until her death.

Dora worked as a janitor at the Crawford telephone office until going to work in 1960 as a secretary at the FortRobinsonHistoricalMuseum. Her interest in local history made this position very enjoyable for her. She retired from the Fort museum in 1990, but later spent many hours as a volunteer at the CrawfordHistoricalMuseum.

Throughout her life, Dora was involved in community service. She was active in the MethodistChurch, Squaw Mound Homemakers Club, Royal Neighbors, the Foster Grandparent program, RSVP, and many other organizations. For several years, she and Ellis organized the served Christmas dinners for those who had no other place to go. Anyone who wished to attend was welcome.

Dora enjoyed gardening and sharing her produce with others. She especially liked raising flowers and always had a beautiful yard. Sewing, cooking, traveling, and attending music jamborees were also favorite activities.

Survivors include son Emmett (Jan) Hale of Crawford; daughter Pam Schuetz of Cheyenne, WY; granddaughters Brenda (Ron) Fanning and Wendy Pino of Cheyenne, WY; great-grandchildren Chris (Jaime) Schuetz, Kevin Pino, and Cody Harris of Cheyenne, WY; great-great-granddaughter Jayda Schuetz of Cheyenne; sisters-in-law Edith Soester of OK and Verna Soester of Lusk, WY; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Dora was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ellis; brothers Kenneth, Howard, and Raymond; son-in-law Joel Schuetz; and grandson Dennis Schuetz.

Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford is in charge of arrangements for Dora Hale.