Dorothy Louise Chilvers

Funeral Service for Dorothy Chilvers age 92 of Neligh, NE will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2019 at 1st Congregational United Church of Christ in Neligh, with Rev. Dr. Rebecca Z. McNeil, Officiating. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be an hour before Funeral Service at Friday, at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Dorothy passed at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh, NE. Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.beyersnidermemorialfh.com

Dorothy Chilvers was born on January 11, 1927 to Charles M. and Clara L. (Otto) Kolbo. Her childhood was spent growing up on the family farm near Callaway, Nebraska. During the WWII years, she participated with other volunteers who donated time and food to the North Platte Canteen. She and the local church ladies peeled eggs, made sandwiches, and helped with the war effort by serving up a bit of rural home food and friendship to the GI’s about to depart for war. Dorothy attended grade school through the 12th grade in Callaway.
Upon high school graduation, she taught a term at Upper Lodi rural school, to earn money to begin her higher education. The fall after her term as a teacher, she bought a one-way train ticket to Lincoln. She then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. At the University she lived in Love Hall where she met many lifelong friends. She worked part time at the UN-L Dairy store serving ice cream to students and visitors. During her second year in Lincoln she met her future husband, Robert Chilvers, whom she married in her home church in Callaway in August of 1948.
Dorothy was a long-time member of PEO International. P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women CELEBRATE the advancement of women; EDUCATE women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College and MOTIVATE women to achieve their highest aspirations. In January of 2019 she was awarded a pin for 55 years of membership.
Dorothy had a very dry wit demonstrated to family members and others alike. For example, she wondered in later life, “how her children learned to cook when she didn’t teach them”. Her intellect was sharp until the end, as demonstrated to care givers. They were concerned she may have dementia; her answers were off target and not correct. She related, “well, if they ask stupid questions, I give them stupid answers”.
Dorothy is survived by two daughters, Carol Hines of Gibbon, and Leslie Lambert and husband Frank of Minden; one son Jim and wife, Jocelyn of Wheat Ridge, Colorado; two grandsons; three granddaughters; and six great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Chilvers, and brothers Kenneth and Howard Kolbo.