Dorothy May Harris

In 1951, Dorothy married Norman C. Harris in her hometown of Walnut, Iowa. This union produced three children: Irene L. [Bane], Dale A., and Larry N.

At age 38, Dorothy became a widow when Norman succumbed to the long illness of emphysema. They were both very involved in the emphysema research at University of Nebraska Medical Center. After Norman's death, the head of research and one of the leading doctors in the nation on emphysema, Dr. Irving Cass, offered Dorothy a job as a physical therapist. When she replied she had no medical training, Dr. Cass stated she had been doing the therapy at home on her husband; she knew the techniques, the equipment, and the terminology. Dorothy's daughter has always thought her decline of this job offer was mostly from a lack of confidence.

Soon after, Dorothy heard a public service announcement about the need for foster parents, She always loved being a mother and wanted lots of children, so she became a foster parent. Dorothy fostered over 134 children, some long-term and many short-term. Dorothy Harris was one of nine families honored in Washington, D.C. at the White House by First Lady Nancy Reagan when Mrs. Reagan began "The Great American Family Award."

Dorothy was active in her own Presbyterian church, as well as the Baptist church which was started by the neighbor living across the street from her.

Dorothy always exercised. When the next door neighbor wanted a walking partner, they walked at 5 AM, calling themselves "Carter Lake's Finest Walking Patrol".

Dorothy is survived by one sister, three children, four grandchildren, a great-grandchild (soon to be another), many nieces and nephews, and many, many foster children.

A visitation for Dorothy will be held Wednesday, July 3, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM.

Dorothy will be laid to rest in Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park, 5701 Center Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106.