Dotty Kay Reier Obituary (1937 - 2018)

Dotty Kay (Wood) Reier of Lincoln, NE, passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018. She born February 7, 1937, in Kearney, NE, the daughter of Claude and Isal (Sennett) Wood. Dotty was raised on a ranch on the South Loup River in Custer County. Her grandparents, Frank and Abbie "Bubble" Wood were especially close to her and she loved them both dearly. She attended Sumner High School and Kearney State College, where she cultivated her innate gift for teaching. She taught 3rd grade in Lexington, NE, Medicine Lake, MT, and Chadron, NE. She taught pre-school in Lincoln, NE, which was a high-light of her teaching career. She had a life-long relationship with Jesus and was a member of First Covenant Church in Lincoln. Philippians 1:21 defines her life. Dotty married Bob Reier on December 26, 1957, and they had 3 children, Joel Clark (deceased), Ann Marie (James) Giles of Council Bluffs, IA, and Beth Diane (Ty) Shriver of Flower Mound, TX. Dotty was thrilled to have 4 grandchildren that she loved, Madison Shriver, Conner Giles, Cale Shriver, and Evan Giles. She was a natural people-person and made friends easily. She didn't consider Bob's family as "in-laws", but as her own. She cared about people and spent time working with those in need, serving on the Lincoln Human Rights Committee and tutoring mentally challenged youth. She was a leader in Recovery Inc. Dotty had a special love for teenagers and served on the Lincoln Young Life Committee for several years. Dotty had a variety of interests include collecting rabbits. Her grandkids loved them too and once counted 124 displayed around her home. She loved rings and had at least one for each finger. It was fun for her when people said they loved her red-rimmed glasses. She loved animals and had a succession of 4 orange tabby cats named Kevin I, Kevin II, Kevin III and Kevin IV. These are some of her favorite things: the color blue, denim vests, her and Madi's matching heart tattoos, Andrew Wyeth paintings, Stockbridge, MA, and music. She listened to music much of her time her last few years, especially CD's of her musically talented son-in-law James and grandson Conner. She loved goofing around with her grandchildren, even making a video rapping with them that they put on YouTube. She and Bob enjoyed driving in the countryside and finding windmills, old barns, and beautiful clouds. She is survived by her husband; children; grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Vicky) Reier of Arvada, CO and Bob Robertus of Torrington, WY; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Bill) Bowie of Delavan, WI, Peggy Reier of Broken Bow, and Joyce (Dennis) Anderson of Tucson, AZ; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; son, Joel Clark; sister, Twila; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dick and Farrell Reier; brother-in-law, John Reier; sister-in-law, Kay Reier. Memorial services for Dotty will be held at the First Covenant Church, 6024 L St, Lincoln, NE on Wednesday, May 23 at 5:00 pm. Visitation with her family will be from one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be given, in lieu of flowers, to 1st Covenant Church, The Charles & Maurine Reier SEM Student Scholarship, Alzheimer's Association, or Center for People in Need.