Dorothea Carmichael

Dorothea Elizabeth Nutter Menefee Carmichael was born Oct 4, 1919 in Circleville, Kansas to Earl and Alice Nutter. Dorothea was the last of five amazing girls in this rural family. Dorothea graduated from Steele City HS in 1936 and June 1, 1936 married Kenneth Menefee in Washington, Ks.
As a new couple in the years of the Great Depression, they lived in many locales following work and a better life for themselves and their growing family. During this time, their sons were born, Lawrence, Wayne and Richard. Dorothea was consistently at her husband’s side working as a cook on ranches, doing work in the home and for others over these difficult years. During World War II Dorothea even worked in an ammunitions factory making bombs for the armed services.
When the war ended Kenneth and Dorothea moved to Powell, Wyoming to join many who moved there to work in the booming oil fields. While in Powell, another child, Marjorie, was born. They remained in Powell until 1957 when they moved to Arcata, California. There Kenneth worked in construction and Dorothea filled many roles as mother, housewife, store clerk, Avon salesperson and cafeteria worker. She was always eager to take on new tasks and roles to support her family to the best of her ability.
In 1969 another move occurred back to Nebraska, the area of their youth. In Steele City, Dorothea became the owner and operator of Menefee Grocery. She worked diligently to expand this small family business and did so successfully. After 10 years in the grocery store business, Dorothea and Kenneth retired and moved to Fairbury, Nebraska.
In 1985, Kenneth passed away and now with a need to be busy once again, Dorothea began volunteering at the Eagles Club in Fairbury. There she added to her already large number of good friends. She also married her longtime family friend, Gerald Carmichael, June 10,1995 during this time. They both loved people and loved to dance, a wonderful combination for active retirees enjoying life.
In 1998, Gerald and Dorothea moved to Greeley, Colorado to be near Dorothea’s children there. In Greeley, they lived on a small farm and thoroughly enjoyed gardening, the beautiful outdoors and being near family.
In 2008, Gerald and Dorothea moved to an apartment in town. Gerald became ill near that time and passed away in March, 2009. Dorothea soon after moved to Fairacres Manor and lived there until her death September 2, 2010.
Preceding Dorothea in death are her parents, Earl and Alice Nutter, her spouses: Kenneth and Gerald, her son Richard, her sisters; Vera Clark, Vada Adams, Alma Minks and Ada Novotny.

Surviving Dorothea are her children and their spouses; Lawrence (Larry) and Roberta (Bobbie) Menefee of Greeley, CO; Wayne and Sandy Menefee of Redding, California and Marjorie (Maggi) and Stan Basinger of Greeley, CO.; her grandchildren: Scott and Wendy Menefee of Golden, CO Lynn Menefee and Deb Crippen of Florence, CO, Mike and Tracey Menefee of Ft. Collins, CO, Sheryl and Greg Cahill of Petaluma, CA, Jeff and Renee Menefee of Redding, CA, Michelle and Ron Hahn of Springfield, OR Doug and Laura Menefee of Lincoln, CA, Matthew Basinger of Greeley, CO and Alison and Joseph Gomez of Greeley, Co. Step-grandchildren: Kathy and Joe Ambriz and Brenda and Shane Kirk all of Muleshoe, TX. Great-grandchildren: Emma Menefee-Crippen, Austin and Miles Cahill, Caitlyn, Steven, Kirsten and Gavin Menefee, Cody and Kaden Hahn, Ava, Elias and Gabriel Gomez; numerous nieces and nephew and many wonderful friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 10, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church at Steele City with Pastor Steve Frazier officiating. Burial will be in the Steele City Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Thursday evening from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.