Dolores (Bestol) James, 93, died Jan. 30, 2017, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney.

She was born on June 27, 1923, to Jim and Nellie (Hill) Bestol in Hyannis.

Dolores married Harold "Shady" James of Mullen in Torrington, Wyoming in 1941. They enjoyed years traveling with the PRCA rodeo and spent time living in Texas and Nevada while Shady was in the Air Force.

Returning to the Sandhills of Nebraska, they managed the Gudmundsen Ranch north of Whitman before moving to the family ranch in Cherry County. After losing her husband in 1969, Dolores continued ranching and later moved to Mullen and worked for Schmoker's Chevrolet.

In 1992, Dolores moved to the Atkins Ranch north of Halsey and spent years there before retiring to Northridge in Kearney.

Known as Grandma Dot by most of her friends and family, Dolores frequently volunteered for activities that embraced young people. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, including Girls State, and served on the Hooker County 4-H Council. She also was active in the American Legion's Eight and Forty, literacy, travel, sports, and health-related causes. One highlight of Dolores travels was a Goodwill trip to Africa. She enjoyed continuous learning and received degrees and certifications, including nursing and commercial art, public speaking, meteorology and climatology.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mullen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Billie James Boyer; brother, Arthur; and sister, Evelyn.

Dolores is survived by her daughters, Sallie (Alan) Atkins, of Halsey, and Sidney (Eddie) Reynolds, of Spring Hope, North Carolina; grandchildren, April (Neal) Sitler, of Magnolia, Texas, Tracy Rehberg of Raleigh, North Carolina, Omaji "Andria" Schenbeck of Saint Petersburg, Florida, Tessa (Adam) Quittner, of Halsey, Ashley (Shane) Helseth, of Raleigh, North Carolina, Terra (Brandon) Boyer, of Mullen, and Tyler Reynolds of Spring Hope, North Carolina; her great-grandchildren Aaron and Elena Rehberg, Emily and Allie Boyer, and Rex Quittner; her step-great-grandchildren, Corey and Dylan Helseth; her sister, Pauline Gottlob of Polson, Montana; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109, c/o Kathy Tuton PO Box 561 Mullen, NE 69152 or St. Mary's Catholic Church PO Box 191 Mullen, NE 69152.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mullen. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home of North Platte is in charge of arrangements.