February 2, 1941 - March 1, 2025

After a life richly lived in service and kindness Dolores A. (Sobotka) Olson, 84 passed away in Fremont, Nebraska on March 1, 2025 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Known for her volunteerism, Dolores was a beacon of light and hope in every community she lived in, touching lives throughout Ord, Burwell, Ericson, O’Neill, Brewster, Dunning, Grand Island, Sargent, Stromsburg, and Bassett.

A Celebration of Life Event will be held Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bassett United Methodist Church. Visitation will be the day prior March 20 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Ord First United Methodist Church.

Memorials have been suggested to the Eppley Cancer Research Center, 985950 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198.

Dori, as she was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She is a beloved and cherished mother to David (Kiffany) Conner of Kearney, Christine Dumont of Omaha, Ann (Michael) Herbig of Central City, Doug (Kris) Conner of Kearney.

Dolores was born the only child to Joesph and Sophie (Kasper) Sobotka on a farm east of Ord on February 2, 1941. She attended a oneroom country school. She was an accomplished 4-Her selected to go on to The Nebraska State Fair in many areas. She graduated from Ord High School in 1959. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln joining the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority until the death of her father at the tender age of eighteen. Later in life this would spark a desire in Dori to promote cancer research as the Co-Chair of The Nebraska Cattlemen’s Ball in 1995 raising over $400,000 for the cause.

She was married to Darrell Conner on July 3, 1960. They were married for 25 years. Working the night shift, she would travel to Grand Island to work at the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant so she could be with her children during the day. As a dedicated mother to her four children, some of her greatest joys came from attending their activities.

She always had a passion to understand her Czech-Bohemian heritage even taking a trip to visit her ancestor’s homeland.

Dori was a strong believer in opportunities that would empower the betterment and personal freedom for women and children. She was the Outreach Coordinator at Central Nebraska Community Services, volunteered at the Crisis Center, Ceders and Head Start programs.

In 1987 she married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Olson and gained six more grown children. They moved to the Sandhills, and they were ranchers. They shared a wonderful life together until his death in 2015 from Parkinson’s disease. She was a very loving, caring wife and grandmother.

Decorating was her talent. Her home at Christmas was always exquisite. She loved to make the things around her beautiful.

She had a beautiful smile and personality that could light up a room. She was a true beauty inside and out. She was the 1973 Valley County Centennial Queen. In 2017 she met her sweetheart Ed Hall (fiancé) and shared her remaining years with him in Bassett.

Dori had been a member of the Valley County Health System Foundation Board, Ord Jaycees and a P.E.O. Sister of Chapter CW.