Dorothy L. Farley, age 86 of Waco, NE, died Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in York, NE. She was born on February 26, 1940 to Tony and Cora Fern (Hevelone) Neuman in Gage County, NE. On June 3, 1962, she was united in marriage to Allen F. Farley at the Gresham Presbyterian Church in Gresham.
Dorothy was a dedicated elementary teacher who spent many years shaping young minds at Gresham and Centennial schools. A faithful member of the Presbyterian church in Gresham since 1959, she shared her love of music as an organist and pianist for over 60 years, and also enjoyed playing the accordion, dulcimer, and violin. She found joy in simple pleasures, including gardening, arranging flowers, baking, and quilting, earning numerous ribbons at the county fair for her work. She especially loved celebrating holidays, filling her home with decorations and hosting a well-loved haunted house that drew visitors year after year. She will be remembered for her love of music, her enjoyment of nature, and the warmth, creativity, and dedication she brought to everything she did. Above all else, she valued her time spent with her family, especially her grandkids.
She is survived by her, daughter Lynda (Kent) Ericksen of Waco, son Chris (Juli) Farley of Waco, grandchildren: William Ericksen of Norfolk, NE, Emily (Jesse) Hartshorn of Utica, NE, Sidney Farley (fiancé Dani Kasselder) of Ault, CO, and a great granddaughter Hartshorn on the way. She is also survived by her sister Janice (Lewis) Carr of Wymore, NE, many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Patricia (Jack) Craig and Joyce Boerger, brother Duane Neuman, sisters-in-law Betty (John) Newlon, Shirley (Jim) Brigham, and Donna (Eugene ‘Smokey’) Gonnerman, and brother-in-law Ronald Farley.
Funeral services for Dorothy are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Gresham Presbyterian Church in Gresham with the Reverend John Nellesen officiating. A graveside service will follow in the Waco City Cemetery in Waco for Dorothy and Allen with military honors for Allen. Visitation will be held from 1-8 p.m. Monday, with her family greeting friends from 6-7:30 p.m. that same evening all at the mortuary in York. Memorials may be directed to the Gresham Presbyterian Church.
Dorothy’s service will be livestreamed on Metz Mortuary’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl1ffBwglpCqu7nKkx42SzQ.