Dorothy Ruby Oliver

Dorothy Ruby Scarrow Oliver, daughter of Amy Alice Hindman and Martin Luther Scarrow, was born on a farm near Lebanon, Nebraska on December 3, 1905. She departed this life on June 15, 2008, at the Long-term Care, Jewell County Hospital, Mankato, Kansas at the age of 102 years, 6 months and 12 days.

She spent her early childhood days in Lebanon and Beardsley, Nebraska. When her mother died in 1920, she dropped out of school to help her father raise her four younger siblings. She was determined to finish her education. She returned to school and graduated from Atwood High School at the age of 22.

On October 17, 1928 she was united in marriage to Guy H. Oliver at Atwood, Kansas. To this union were born eight children; five children survive.

She lived in and around Mankato and Burr Oak all of her married life. She was a devoted wife and mother and also worked in the Burr Oak school lunchroom for many years. After retiring from the school system she and Guy provided a loving home for six of their grandchildren. After his death in 1978, she continued to raise these children on her own. Her hobbies included reading the Bible, crocheting for her family and friends, and collecting salt and pepper shakers. At one time she had nearly five hundred sets. One of her greatest joys was hosting the annual Scarrow reunion.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Burr Oak and faithfully attended until her health made it impossible for her to do so. She was able to maintain her own home until 2004 at the age of 99 when she entered Long-term Care.

She is survived by three sons and two daughters and one daughter-in-law; Percy and wife, Louise, Garnett, Kansas; Carol and husband, Ervin Peters, Bird City, Kansas; Joyce and husband, Roy Fullerton, Superior, Nebraska; Carl and wife, Sharon, Wamego, Kansas; Guy and wife, Patsy, Apache Junction, Airzona and her daughter-in-law, Muriel (Midge) Oliver, Burr Oak, Kansas; 18 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren, 25 great-great grandchildren, two sisters, Annabelle Ruggles, Paso Robles, California and Floye Parmenter, Lake Isabella, California., and a host of other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death, were her parents, husband, five brothers, William, Ervin, Earl, Ray and Verne; four sisters, Mabel Morton, Alta Phelps, Sarah Forshe, and Esther Scarrow, three sons, Harold, David and Richard, one daughter-in-law, Mae, one grandchild, Sharon Peters, and one great grandchild, Lance Harshbarger.

A Celebration of the life of Dorothy R. Oliver was held at the United Methodist Church, Burr Oak, at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June19, 2008, with Pastor Dan Dempsey officiating. Music was furnished by Wayne Fogo, soloist and Diana Dethloff, organist, Casket bearers were: Darrell Peters, Bruce Fullerton, Harold Oliver, Jr., Alan Oliver, Lyle Oliver, and Kenny Oliver. Honorary casket bearers were Carl Oliver Jr. and Ron Oliver. Interment was in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Kansas, with Aaron Turner playing Amazing Grace, on the bagpipes.

Melby Mortuary, Mankato,Kansas, was in charge of the services.