Dorothy Elsie (Hinkle) Millikan, 84, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Monday, December 31st, 2012, at Bethany Home in Minden, Nebraska.

Dorothy was born Tuesday, March 27th, 1928, at their family home at Cumro, Custer County, Nebraska, to Ralph Joseph and Elsie Ann (Klavon) Hinkle as the only daughter and second of three children.  Four generations lived and worked hard in that rural area during the depression, dust bowl days and entrance into World War II; thankful for loving family, friends, the First Eudell Church, the country school, the country store, gas station and post office.

Dorothy was a life-long learner with an insatiable curiosity. The first six and three-fourth years of her education were in a rural one-room school, District 136, twenty-four miles southeast of Broken Bow and 13 miles north of Sumner.  Near her 12th birthday, in 1940, she moved with her family to Kearney, Nebraska, where she finished 7th grade, attended junior high and senior high taking the college preparatory course of study, graduating May 29th, 1945. She was voted the girl with the “Prettiest Smile with Beautiful Teeth.” She lettered on the girls basketball team. Dorothy continued her education at Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney) where she majored in English, Journalism and communication.  She also lettered there as a member of the women’s basketball team.

On November 20th, 1946, she was united in marriage, in Kearney to Robert E. Millikan. They moved to Lexington in 1947, where two daughters were born to them, Joan Rene’ and Ann Michele.

Dorothy became a Christian at Family Church Camp at Kearney when she was 12 years of age, and was baptized by immersion in a sandpit southwest of Kearney. Dorothy liked to do her part. She taught Sunday School and Bible classes most of her adult years, helped coach the National 1st runner-up Bible Quiz Team, was president of the Women’s World Fellowship, worked in junior chapel, taught Daily Vacation Bible School, helped paint the parsonage, clean the church building and prepare the Lord’s Supper. She taught Bible studies by correspondence to numerous international students.

Her community activities included: Bryan PTA President, Election Board, at inception a board member of Meals on Wheels, Dawson County Arthritis Director, 4-H leader, Girl Scout leader, participated in Initiative 400 in Lincoln on behalf of the elderly and handicapped, only Nebraskan winning the award for teaching nutrition and money management to senior citizens, on the steering committee for the present Lexington High School building and location, room mother, editor of the City Directory, and Community concert Captain and Board Member.

She loved her work as a Nutrition and Money Management Instructor with the University of Nebraska and the Extension Service, as a home health nurse, and as a market research interviewer for George Gallup, ABC, CBS, Louis Harris, Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Commission on Aging, Shop ‘n check and the Coy Agency which took her to many parts of Kansas and Nebraska. She worked until her stroke at the age of 75. Dorothy’s favorite spare time activities included correspondence and reading. Learning and education were important to Dorothy. She encouraged improvement and growth.  She continued the teaching process herself and with others who had expertise in their various areas of life.

Survivors include her daughters Joan and husband Galen Morris of Lexington, and Ann Payne of Ravenna, Nebraska; her four grandchildren, Lanny Dean (Ladina) Morris of Grand Island, Nebraska; Dr. Regan Michele (J.C.) Dulin of Louisburg, Kansas; Jeremy Michael Morris of Louisburg; and Sean Thomas Payne of Ravenna; seven great-grandchildren; Ethan Morris Dulin, Andrew Tige Dulin, and Ryan Michael Dulin of Louisburg; Callista Rose Louise Morris of Kearney; Cassandra Kay Morris of Louisburg; Caleb Josiah Morris and Jonah Matthew Morris of Grand Island; step-great-granddaughter; Miranda Clark of Mesa, Arizona; her younger brother, Robert F. (LaNelle) Hinkle of Nashville, Georgia; two nieces, Cathy Renee and Dana Lynn and her beloved cousins.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother; her father and her older brother, Laurance R. Hinkle; also, her grandparents Henry and Jessie Hinkle and aunt, Fern Schneider.  

A Celebration of Dorothy’s Life was held Saturday, January 5th, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at 13th & Tyler Church of Christ in Lexington, Nebraska with Ministers Richard Snell and Nathan Rhea officiating.

Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.

Memorials are suggested to the 13th & Tyler Church of Christ or the Donor’s Choice.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements. Please forward online words of comfort to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.