Kimberly K. Dolen

Kimberly “Kim” Kay Dolen passed away on February 19th, 2024 at 60 years of age after bravely and courageously facing the challenges of liver disease. She was born February 16, 1964 in Lincoln, NE to Rosemarie Kempkes and William Salisbury Sr. Kimberly and her six siblings were raised by Rosemarie and stepfather, Butch Kempkes Jr.

Kim attended school in Lincoln, NE and received her GED from Northeast High School in 1981. She met Michael Gallentine and to that later union welcomed three beautiful daughters; Keri, Megan, and Samantha. Parting in 1990, Kim later met John Dolen and moved to Hallam, NE where they spent 22 wonderful years together before his untimely passing in 2012. It was a profound heartache that encompassed her life for many years.

Kim worked several jobs throughout her life including owning the Cortland Bar and Grill in Cortland, NE with her late husband for many years. She loved being a businesswoman and serving others. She especially enjoyed the fun weekend band nights in the back banquet room where her husband and his band played oldies and country rock’n’roll for crowds of friends and family. She loved dancing the two-step and seeing everyone enjoy themselves on the dancefloor. For the last 17 years of her life, she worked at the Walmart in Crete, NE where she had many close friends who meant so much to her.

She loved the mountains, planting flowers, watching NASCAR races, taking trips with her family, listening to music, warm summer months, and sitting on her porch with her dog Patch.

The greatest joy in her life was spending time with her family and making memories with her daughters and her ten grandchildren Savanna, Madison, Jase, Alivia, Elizabeth, Haydon, Harper, Heston, Keralyne, and Elijah. She was also especially proud of recently becoming a great-grandmother for the first time to Paxton.

Kim is survived by her daughters Keri (Joel) Nunnenkamp of Lincoln; Megan (Josh) Garcia of Milligan; and Samantha (Shaun) McPherson of Hallam; stepson Christopher Dolen of Oregon; ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sister Shannon (Jeff) Johnson of Bennet; brothers John (Denotta) Salisbury of Lincoln; and William (Darcy) Salisbury of Oklahoma; sister-in-law Gina (Steve) Miller of Lincoln; brothers-in-law Gregg Dolen of Lincoln; and Rick (Laurine) Dolen of Lincoln; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband John Dolen, parents Rosemarie Kempkes and Butch Kempkes Jr., brother Dennis Salisbury, sister Denise Smith, brother Todd Salisbury, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

She will be dearly missed by her family and those who knew and loved her.

A memorial service for Kimberly will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68512. Memorials are in the care of the family.

A coffee/tea dessert reception will be held at the Hallam Auditorium in Hallam, Ne at 2:00 p.m. on March 1 following the service.