Dorothy Larreau

                       Dorothy Alice Sheets Larreau

     Dorothy Alice Sheets was born August 24,1936, at the home of her Blixt Grandparents' farm southwest of Arnold, arriving before the doctor did. She stepped into eternity on December 6, 2022, at the home of Irving & Melody Jennings.

She was the youngest of three children born to Wiley and Mae (Blixt) Sheets joining older brother David and sister Marjorie. Dorothy always said she had “the best big brother and sister in the world” and meant it. The three of them were always extremely close and loyal to one another.

    The first years of her life the Sheets family lived 13 miles north of Brewster.  On Dorothy's 4th birthday Mae and children moved to Callaway where Dorothy grew up. Although times were hard, she had lots of memories of a happy childhood. No matter where they lived David always made a playhouse for the girls using whatever materials were at hand. Marjorie and Dorothy learned to sing at an early age accompanied by their mother. They walked wherever they were going and sang as they walked. Marge and Dorothy sang in some talent shows and, on the radio, and all this began a life-long love of music for Dorothy. She couldn't wait to be old enough to sing in the church choir and enjoyed using her voice in many different venues, doing programs of all kinds as well as singing for weddings and funerals. Her beautiful voice was a blessing! She wanted it to bring praise to God, and we believe she accomplished that goal.

     Another great love for Dorothy was babies and she asked for a doll every year for Christmas. When she was 10 years old, she gained a new baby brother when Roger was born to Ralph and Mae Morrison. She thought he was her very own personal, live baby doll to play with and she loved him fiercely.

     Age 12 was a big year for Dorothy: she accepted Christ as her personal Savior at Bible camp that summer, her Mom told her she had to ask for something other than a doll for Christmas, and she got her first job. She wanted fabric to make a new skirt, so she went to the cafe and asked for a job and was hired. Then she went home and told her Mom she had a job! That was the beginning of her working life, and she had many different jobs through the years, always a dedicated and hard worker. Her favorite job was working for Terry and Dena at Mills Hardware. She loved them and enjoyed helping people. She was always grateful for that job and until the last week of her life she kept saying she had to “get up and get to work.”

     Also, during her childhood, she gained siblings Kenneth, Darrel and Jeane Sheets born to Wiley and Hazel (Flyr) Sheets.  Family was important to Dorothy, and she became the glue that bonded the two sets of siblings together in adulthood as well as holding the big, extended family together.

     Dorothy graduated from Callaway High School in 1953 at age 16. She went to Kearney to get her teaching certificate and rode the “motor” (train) home on Friday nights so she could be home for the weekend.  She completed that training and taught at Stop Table Country School for one year.

     February 27,1955, she married Otis Wesley Larreau of Arnold. They had four children: Dennis, Melody, Gary, and Mark. Wes and Dorothy spent many years building their Wes n Dot Dairy farm and award-winning herd of registered Holsteins. It was important to her to do the very best she could milk and caring for the cows, and she enjoyed them - most of the time. She would tell you the barn was cleaner than her house because the barn was inspected regularly!

     Wes and Dorothy's home became the place to go for good food (she was an excellent cook) and fun. Dorothy welcomed and fed anyone and everyone who walked through the door including lots of kids. She looked forward to ALL the holiday gatherings at her home even though she had to milk cows before and after the meal. No matter how tired she was she always enjoyed company.

     Dorothy was loving and always had room for more people in her life. She gladly welcomed the in-laws she gained as her children married and celebrated with joy each new grandchild. She was known as “Grandma Goofy” “Grandma Snazzy” and “Super Grandma” to those lucky enough to call her their own.

She was loyal to her family, was an excellent listener, never condemned her loved ones even when she thought they were making a mistake. She just resolved to pray more for each one and said many times “prayer is our secret weapon.”

Her faith was real and what kept her going through the hard times. Her philosophy was Biblical - “One Day at a Time” and that was her theme song in life. She’s confident she will spend eternity in heaven because of her relationship with God.

     Dorothy's wit and humor stayed with her through all her strokes and illnesses. Drs., nurses, and EMTs commented on that and enjoyed caring for her. A large family and many friends will miss her sass and kindness, welcoming smile, big hugs, and laughter she so easily shared with everyone.

       Dorothy is survived by:

Dennie's wife, Cathy (Glen) Bowers - Arnold

Melissa (Randy) Smith - Arnold, John (Heather) Larreau - Lincoln,

LeAnn (Preston) Peterson - Loup City, Stacie (Scott) Christensen - Kearney, Pamela Young - Omaha, Denisa (Dan) Mettler - Omaha

Melody (Irving) Jennings - Arnold

Heath (Jennifer) Jennings - Phillips, NE, O. Warren (Avery) Jennings - Crete, NE, Alasha (Edward) Johnson - Arnold, Mae (Matthew) Sprinkle - CO

Gary (Janet) Larreau - Arnold

Dayna Larreau - Lincoln, NE

Mark Larreau - Arnold

Ashley Nansel - Arnold

“Adopted” Grandkids: Renee (Jesse) Corbin - Arnold, Steven (Anna)

Johnson - Broken Bow, Tristan Johnson - Lincoln

And 34 Great Grandchildren

David Sheets, Loveland, CO, Marjorie Maller, Oakland, NE, Darrel & Teruko Sheets, Reynoldsburg, OH, Jeane Breuer, Gothenburg, NE, Connie (Glen) Weinman, Arnold, Bengie Morrison,  Berthoud, CO

Extended family too numerous to mention but loved

She was preceded in death by:  Wiley and Hazel Sheets, Ralph and Mae Morrison, Wes Larreau, Dennie Larreau, Kenneth Sheets, Roger Morrison, Roger Maller, Steve Breuer, Ardelle Sheets, Nathan & Matthew Larreau, Enoch Jennings

Funeral services will be Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 10:30 am at the First Baptist Church in Arnold, NE with Reverend Irv Jennings officiating. Burial will be in the Arnold Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church Furniture, WRC, or Operation Christmas Child. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Arnold. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.coms.