Doris Nicholas

Doris Elizabeth Harre was born January 9, 1938, the twelfth of 15 children to John and Theresa (Leif) Harre at the family farm north of Exeter, Nebraska. Doris passed away at the age of 86 on June 26, 2024 at Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska. Doris graduated from Exeter High School in 1955. She was wed to United States Air Force Airman Richard (Nick) Nicholas on February 16, 1957, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Exeter. The couple resided in Lincoln and began a family with the birth of Shari (Michl) in 1959 and Timothy in 1960. The family relocated to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida and later to Tucson, Arizona, where Nick was stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. In 1971, a third addition to the family, Hope (Strate) was born at Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo, New Mexico. After Nick completed his 20-year term in the military, the family made a final move to Exeter, where Nick and Doris settled into the family home they shared for 50 years. Nick and Doris shared 65 years together before Nick’s passing in 2022. Doris spent her final year at Fairview Manor in Fairmont. As an Air Force wife, Doris found herself in both parent roles at times, and managed the household with patience, love and a little discipline. She held down jobs ranging from Arizona dog groomer to Exeter daycare provider to waitress at Sweetwater tavern in Exeter, and was known by her brothers for her raisin cream pie. She loved to play cards, with pinochle, euchre and pitch her games of choice, and made a few trips to casinos just for fun. Her grandchildren and great grands were the lights of her life, and she was always most excited when another baby joined the family. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, John & Theresa; sisters, Reta Mae Coffey, Evelyn Coffey, Gladys Coffey, Patricia Hansen, and Joan Kuska; brothers, Lawrence Harre, Kenneth Harre, Jerome Harre, Gene Harre, Paul Harre, and Aloysius Harre. Doris is survived by her three children, Shari (Alan) Michl of Exeter, Tim (Marie) Nicholas of Central City and Hope (Ken) Strate of Exeter, grandchildren Allison (Jeb) Bitz and Nathan (Abby) Michl; Matthew (Jennifer) Nicholas and Angela (Noah) Broekemier; Victoria Androyna and Deidre (Kevin) Boyle; her beloved great grandchildren: Evie, Jonah, Leo, Layne, Cason, Avery, Oliver, and Amelia; sisters, Jeanette Paulus of Loveland, Colorado and Leona Smith of New Braunfels, Texas; and brother, Frank Harre of York, Nebraska. A Mass of Christian Burial for Doris was held on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Father Brendan Kelly presided over the Mass. Agnes Anderson was the organist and Nicole Grubaugh was the cantor and they led the congregation in the singing of “How Great Thou Art,” “Be Not Afraid,” “On Eagles Wings,” and “On This Day Oh Beautiful Mother.” Pallbearers included Randy Paulus, Danny Smith, Kenny Harre, Alan Harre, Wayne Kuska, and Lane Strate. Honorary Pallbearers included all of Doris’ grandsons and great grandsons. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the St. Stephen Catholic Church or to the family for future designation.

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Doris Nicholas

January 9, 1938 - June 26, 2024