When Ethel was just out of high school, she worked as an apprentice at a beauty shop. She later was the head cook at Benedict Public School where she was fondly known as Grandma Ethel. She was a former member of Friendly Families Extension Club and enjoyed taking care of her garden and flowers. She was devoted to her family and was proud to have become a great-great-grandmother last September. Ethel was a member of the Benedict United Methodist Church. She will be missed and her memory cherished by all who knew her.
Ethel is survived by two sons, Robert and his wife Theresa Doremus of Polk and David and his wife Mary Doremus of Benedict; two daughters, Patty and her husband Ross Hirschfeld of Benedict and Cinda Hild of York; nine grandchildren, Kimberly Hirschfeld-Cotton of York, Melanie and partner Celia Rodriguez-Hild of Elkhorn, Zuleika Doremus of Lincoln, Chad and his wife Misty Hirschfeld of Benedict, Jason and his wife Jennifer Hirschfeld of York, Daniel Doremus of Benedict, Christine and her husband Tom Jarosz of Stromsburg, Nathan and his wife Amy Doremus of Benedict and Ryan Doremus of Polk.
Great-grandchildren include, Derek Hild from California, Erin Hild and Allison Hild of Aurora, Sophie, Olivia and Cami Rodriguez-Hild of Elkhorn, Creighton, Atleigh and Breckon Hirschfeld of Benedict, Chase and Addison Cotton of York, Brynn, Reese and Kendyl Hirschfeld of York, Hannah Doremus of York, Riley Doremus of Benedict, Dane and Nealey Jarosz of Stromsburg and Eli and Finley Doremus of Benedict; great great-grandchild Emma Journey of Aurora.
Ethel is also survived by her sister, Levia (Eldon) Maxson of Central City; two sisters-in-law, Rose Catlett of Central City and Marilyn Catlett of Broken Bow; brother-in-law, Paul Fusby of Stromsburg; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceding her in death were her husband; grandson Eddie; three brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in York with the Reverend Dan Spearow officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, west of Benedict. Visitation will be from 3-9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary. The family will greet friends and neighbors Thursday evening from 7-8:30 pm. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.