Dorothy Alice (Meier) LeClair was born on January 5, 1915 in Hooper, Nebraska to George and Gertrude (Nolan) Meier. She grew up on the family farm near Hooper where she attended Country School and graduated from Hooper High School in 1932. As a young girl, Dorothy enjoyed reading and attending dances.
Dorothy married John J. LeClair on July 5, 1938 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fremont, Nebraska and to this union three children were born: Mary Elizabeth “Duchess”, Virginia Carolyn (Chinny, nicknamed that by her cousin Ronny) and John William. Dorothy and John raised their family in Concordia, Kansas, Columbus, York, Ashland and Mead, Nebraska before settling in Fremont in 1959.
Dorothy worked as a beautician in Fremont before her marriage. Later she worked for Montgomery Ward and Diers Farm Supply before owning and operating the “Neer Nu Shop” before retiring in 1985. She was an excellent cook and taught her daughters. Dorothy enjoyed crocheting and made Afghans for all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She taught her grandchildren to count money and use the cash register. Dorothy enjoyed camping, traveling, car rides and watching television with a large bowl of popcorn. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fremont and a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Fremont. Dorothy was a strong, loving woman who cherished her time with her family. Her grandchildren remember having brunch and dinner at the Breastwood Restaurant, Sunday morning polka music playing at the house and grandma watching the rodeo on television, her favorite was bull riding.
Dorothy passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at Brookestone Meadows in Elkhorn, Nebraska at the age of 97 years, 2 months and 3 days. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Gertrude, husband John “Bud”, daughter Virginia Brainard, sister Jeanette and brother Raymond. Dorothy is survived by son John W. LeClair of Fremont, Nebraska; daughter Mary LeClair of Waterloo, Nebraska; grandchildren Eric and Yumi Nick of Tekamah, Nebraska, Erin Nick of Omaha, Nebraska, Teresa and Eddie Wilson of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Alesia and Rick Hajek of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, Mary K. Evans and Dan Hiller of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Nanetta and Kevin Blaski of Griffith, Indiana, Philip and Rachel Brainard of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Troy and Rochelle Nick of Waterloo, Nebraska and John R. LeClair of California; 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter.
Dorothy answered to many different names: Mom, Bunny, Grandma, Ditto, Grandma-Grandma and Aunt Dinny