It was said that Dorothy Faulkner could do laundry, set the table, and fix dinner for a family of 9 while carrying an infant child on her hip. She made it seem effortless even when it clearly wasn't. That exemplified her way of giving the gift of love, always giving of herself and never complaining. After gracing our lives for almost 98 years, she has been called home to the Lord.
In 1988, after 49 years of marriage, she was preceded in death by her loving husband Claude Faulkner.
She is survived by her 7 children; Claude (Mary), Philip (Patricia), Thomas, Daniel (Beverly), Lynne, Steven (Joetta), and Douglas (Ellen); 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
She had two sisters and three brothers, all deceased; many aunts and uncles; many nephews and nieces; and more than 100 first cousins. Throughout her life she stayed in contact with many of them. Her memory of her relatives was always incredibly sharp. She never lost her ability to recall names, marriages, births, birthdays, and important events.
She was born and grew up on a small farm southwest of Hastings, Nebraska in an area settled by German immigrants. Growing up, she helped with household and farm work. She shocked wheat by hand; helped raise and can vegetables; cared for livestock; and still found time to read by the light of a kerosene lantern. She rode to primary school in a buggy, called the "bunk", pulled by their horse "Sparky". For recreation, sometimes she rode Sparky bareback. Through 8th grade, she attended Catholic grade school in the hamlet of Assumption, Nebraska. Girls attending High School was not then the norm, so with some extra effort, she completed her formal education in Roseland, Nebraska earning Class Valedictorian in 1938. She was unable to pursue higher education because of the lack of finances, but her strong belief in education would be brought to fruition in her children, all of whom earned advanced degrees.
Following graduation, she moved to North Platte where she lived with a cousin. She found employment (this was the Great Depression era) at the F. W. Woolworth "Five & Dime" department store, working at the soda fountain. She quickly met and made new friends, including her then-to-be husband. She later said that having lived through the depression, the dust bowls, and the droughts, she was not going to a farmer's wife.
She was a wonderful wife and mother. Somehow, she managed to care for her husband, raise 7 kids, keep them in clean clothes, haul them to work or school, assist them with their studies, and feed them. The meals she prepared are legendary both for quality and quantity as attested by the many friends her children invited over for dinner. Those friends commented that she was like a mom to them and made them feel her home was their home. Her confections were marvelous, especially during the Christmas Holiday season. On one occasion she baked a pie to donate to a Holy Spirit bake sale. Her husband followed her to the bake sale, bought the pie for his own enjoyment. In her kitchen, she also prepared many gallons of homemade ice cream using farm fresh cream and eggs. Few visitors left without a second helping. Ironically, she did not particularly like it.
She loved to play cards, especially bridge at which she was quite good. She enjoyed playing board games with her children and grandchildren. Yahtzee was always a big hit during holidays.
She was adventuresome; as her older kids moved on and she had more free time, she could be found going on bicycle rides, camping trips, hiking in the mountains and even cross-country skiing. She made trips to Europe. On one trip she chaperoned St. Patrick Choral students, visiting Rome and Rieti, Italy. She visited many European countries, especially the United Kingdom and Ireland. She also traveled the USA attending her children's various graduations, and her grandchildren's graduation and marriages until her health did not permit it.
She was active in Holy Spirit Church and St. Patrick Church and School affairs including Catholic Daughters (with whom she was the diocesan "Regent"), Altar and Rosary Society. She was very involved at Holy Spirit Church and in the barbecue, and in preparing meals for funerals and other functions. She had a great love for the Blessed Mother and the rosary, saying it daily until she died.
Dorothy was a wonderful woman, wife, mother and a great friend and relative to many. She was also a very devout Catholic, and demonstrated continually how much her faith meant to her.
She was dearly loved and will be terribly missed. We find solace knowing she is in heaven.
Instead of flowers or other gifts, the family encourages those who wish, to contribute to the St. Patrick's Endowment fund or to the Foundation Fighting Blindness
North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment-Trust, Inc.
601 S. Tabor, P.O. Box 57
North Platte, NE 69103-0057

Foundation Fighting Blindness
PO Box 17279
Baltimore, MD 21298-9581
http://www.blindness.org/

Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend Bryan Ernest as celebrant. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 26, 2017 and 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.