Dale Douthit

Aug. 22, 1914-May 31, 2012

Dale Edward Douthit of Crawford passed away May 31 at Ponderosa Villa in Crawford. He was 97.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church in Crawford, with Pastor Bill Bagley officiating. Burial will be at Crawford Cemetery.

Dale Douthit was born Aug. 22, 1914 at Horace Greeley County, Neb.. the fourth of eight children born to Edward Rufus and Cora Lillian Clapp Douthit. He graduated from Horace High School in 1932 and worked for area farmers until 1935 when he came to Crawford to see a grade school classmate, Wanda Gibbons.

Wanda and Dale were married August 4, 1936 at Hot Springs, S. D.

Dale worked in the area for local farmers, the city of Crawford, Hagemeister Grain Co. and the WPA building dog kennels at Fort Robinson, and while living at Glen. They moved to Clarks, and later back to the Crawford area, becoming partners with Wanda's parents.

In 1955 the family moved to Whitney where Dale farmed, drove truck for Daniels and they owned D. and W. Café and Filling Station. Dale went to work for the State of Nebraska road department and retired in 1980 as road superintendent. After retirement he worked for NRD, the city cemetery maintenance and SWANN, retiring a second time in 2006.

Dale was a member of the Congregational Church and FOE Eagles as treasurer many years.

Dale enjoyed his children and grandchildren activities, dancing, junking and rides in the country, especially to his son Lonnie's ranch.

Survivors include: his children Norma Cozad of Wood Lake, Lonnie (Verona) of Crawford and Gayle (Danny) Stetson of Chadron; daughters-in-law Lois ?Douthit of Fort Collin, Colo. and Shirley Douthit of Crawford; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren; sister Dorothy Petroni of El Cerrita, Calif.; and brother-in-law Thayer Smith of Rocklin, Calif.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Wanda, in 1990; sons Melvin and Gaylen, grandchildren Rocky Jo Colburn and Jean Ann Douthit and siblings Ellis, Earl, Milton Marjorie, Donald and Dean

Arrangement is under the direction of the Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford.

Memorials have been established for the First Congregational Church or Ponderosa Villa Auxiliary. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, P.O. Box 970 Chadron, NE 69337.