Dorothy passed away Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the age of 88. She was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska on May 30, 1929 to Harry and Florence Bourne. Dorothy was raised in the Humboldt area and her family eventually moved to Grand Island, Nebraska in 1946. Dorothy graduated high school in Grand Island in 1947.
Her early years were not easy. Aside from helping her mother and father raise her three rambunctious younger brothers, Dorothy worked after school as a waitress and continued to do so after graduating. It was during this time that she met her future husband Reynold Darnell. They were married July 6, 1948 and were together for over 69 years. After a brief stint in Phoenix, AZ, where Rey was going to business school, they moved back to Nebraska. Rey and Dorothy moved to Valentine, NE in 1952. This would be their home for the next 65 years.
Dorothy worked as a waitress at the Home Café for a while and Rey worked for Mullin Bros Equipment Co. Dorothy worked at Red Front Mercantile for a number of years as well as the Corner Market and Raine Motel, but most of her time was dedicated to being a wife, mother, and homemaker.
Throughout the years she helped her four children with various activities, she was a den mother in cub scouts and much more. Dorothy loved cats and loved to watch birds. Here favorite activities included driving through the local park and through the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge to see the buffalo and prairie dogs. An ice cream at the Frosty Freeze was high on her list of favorite treats. She enjoyed canning and cooking for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family, who enjoyed her culinary skills.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Reynold (who passed less than six weeks ago), her parents, and one brother.
She is survived by her brothers Harlan Bourne of Las Cruces, NM and Don Bourne of Casa Grande, AZ and her children: Ronn of Hobbs, NM; Lynn(wife Donna) of Strafford, NH; Gene(wife Cathy) of Cheyenne, WY; Joanne of Lincoln, NE; 5 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.
She will be remembered and missed by friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Valentine Senior Citizens Center (322 N. Macomb St.).

Funeral service for Dorothy Darnell age 88 of Lincoln and formally of Valentine will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 10:00 AM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Visitation will be on Wednesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Darnell passed away on Sept. 21 in Lincoln.