Dolores Marie Gibson

In Memory OfDolores M. "Dee" GibsonDolores Marie "Dee" Gibson, of Friend, died Saturday, May 1, 2004, at Lutheran Hospital Hospice in Wheatridge, Colorado at the age of 84 years 3 months and 20 days after a bout with cancer that ravaged her body. She was born on January 11, 1920 at Friend, Nebraska to Andrew and Edna Caroline (Gallup) Larsen, the oldest of two children, welcoming a brother Eugene Linus Larsen in 1924. She had dozens of cousins and spent a lot of happy times playing and being with them at her home and also at the home of her grandmother, Marie Larsen ? Jensen in Cordova. There were plenty of aunts and uncles, some of whom had come to Nebraska from Denmark. As a young girl she moved with her family to Sterling, Colorado where her parents owned and operated a small motel. Her father made a try at farming for a while. But, in her senior year of high school, they all moved back to Friend where Dee graduated with the Class of 1938. She met the love of her life here after she whistled at him as he rode by on his roller skates; and as they say, the rest is history. On August 1, 1940 she was united in marriage to Raymond Earle Gibson in her parents back yard and they were never apart until his death on January 13, 1993.On November 11, 1941, their daughter, Sandra Lee was born in Watsonville, California while Ray was stationed with the Marines at nearby Ft. Ord. After the war, Ray and Dee returned to Nebraska making their home in Lincoln where Dee was a homemaker and mother until she was employed at Miller and Paine's. Here she took merchandizing training and became the Assistant Fashion Coordinator. She was the clothing buyer and fashion consultant for the store and also gave makeup demonstrations to hundreds of interested ladies. Later, she was the receptionist and secretary for a Lincoln psychiatrist for several years.Dee was a member of the United Church of Christ and the Friend Country Club in Friend. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #3 and 8&40 Lancaster County 92, and is a Past Commander for the DAV, all in Lincoln. As both Dee and Ray were active in various Legion organizations, they enjoyed making trips to conventions and traveled extensively during this time in their lives. They especially enjoyed the mountains of Colorado and took many vacations there. After Ray's death, she spent many months visiting her daughter and son-in-law in Colorado and taking short mountain trips. Music was always a large part of her life. Her mother, Edna Larsen of Friend was a piano and vocal teacher and taught Dee to play at the age of three. She was an excellent piano and organ player and played for church, many local get-togethers, weddings and funerals. Her favorite music was the 40's big band era. Since her husband, Ray, played the trumpet all through his life, they had a common musical interest and many Saturday nights, the couple was found dancing to the music they loved most. Their daughter, Sandie, recalls that her parents could jitterbug with the best of them.Dee is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sandie and Brian Birlauf, Lakewood, CO, three grandchildren, David Wichman, Lakewood, CO, Laura Purinton, Westminster, CO, Sara and Alan Taylor, Dallas, TX, six great-grandchildren, Danny and Andrew Wichman, Brittany, Joshua and Ian Purinton, and Brandon Taylor, sister-in-law, Betty Larsen, Salinas, CA, nieces nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.She was preced in death by her parents, her husband, Ray in 1993, and a brother, Gene LarsenA Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at the United Church of Christ in Friend, with Rev. Bharat Surender officiating. Cremation, no viewing. Inurnment at Andrew Cemetery, Friend. Memorials have been established to DAV.