Dorris M. Coon

Dorris M. Coon

Dorris M. Coon, age 96, of Gordon, Neb. died on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Hay Springs. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 10 at the First Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Judith McQuiston officiating. Burial was in the Gordon Cemetery.

Dorris was born May 30, 1912, south of Merriman, Neb. on a ranch, to William A. and Metta (Cady) Leeper. They lived on the German Place until 1916, and then moved to Fairfax, S.D. After spending four years in Fairfax, they returned to Merriman. Her father then worked for Ben Roberts and took hay contracts in the summer and fed cattle in the winter. In 1923 they moved north of Gordon, where they ranched with Sam Moore.

Dorris graduated the eighth grade from the "Little Red School" in District #83. She then graduated from Gordon High School in 1929. Dorris then attended Chadron State College for two years, and later received her degree in 1965.

In 1932, she married Henry W. Coon in Hot Springs, S.D. To this union three children were born; Bennie Dean, Carole Kay, and Tommie Dale.

Dorris began her teaching career at the Cobb School, southeast of Gordon. She continued teaching for the next 31 years in South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Her husband Henry worked for Continental Oil Company, and when he was transferred she was hired to teach in the new school system. In 1967 she retired from the Gordon School system and for the next seven years helped her husband on the farm.

She was preceded in death by her husband Henry, her father and mother and sisters, Lillian Hatch, Pearle Spangler, Vida Spangler and Hope Keplinger.

Pallbearers were her nine grandchildren: Craig Benson, Marty Benson, Jesse Coon, Steven Coon, Clay Coon, Tracie Rudloff, Renee Sasse, Dorris Roelle and Denise Holscher.

A memorial has been established for the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Hay Springs.

Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records