Dorothy May Hargens was born August 23, 1927, in her paternal grandfather’s house at Hot Springs, SD, the second child of Holland Gamet Hargens and Blanche Chaulk Hargens.
Following her parents divorce in 1937, Dorothy lived mostly with her mother and attended schools in South Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wyoming.
In 1944 she married Arthur F. Roberts at Cheyenne, WY. A son, Dennis, was born at Ft.F.E. Warren in1945 and after his parents separation was adopted and grew up in Ft. Worth, TX. Dennis’ name was changed to Donald M. Harrison and he rejoined his mother’s family in 1980.
In 1947 Dorothy married Andrew James “Jim” Hallsted of Chadron, NE, where the couple spent the next 48 years engaged in farming and ranching as they raised their three children, David, Neil and Cecelia.
Dorothy attended Chadron State College from 1975 to 1978, receiving her B.A. Degree in Social Work in 1978. Until her retirement in 1989 she was employed as Social Services Director at a local nursing care center.
In addition to time devoted to family and education, Dorothy served on a local election board, was active in an extension club and was a long-time member of Mensa International. She enjoyed reading, sewing, travel and working with her large collection of antique buttons. She also devoted much time to collecting and organizing several families histories.
Jim Hallsted passed away in 1995 after several years of increasing disability. Later that year Dorothy married Jim’s friend William Waldron of Alliance, NE. The couple continued to reside at her home south of Chadron and enjoyed travelling. Mr. Waldron passed away in 2005.
Dorothy passed away on Jan. 25, 2020 at RWMC in Scottsbluff, at the age of 92.
Survivors are her children Donald Harrison, Cecelia Ray, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brother Kenneth Hargens of Rapid City, SD, sister Donna Sires of Hermosa, SD.
Following cremation, Dorothy’s ashed will be placed near her home south of Chadron. Any memorial funds will be donated to Dobby’s Frontier Town in Alliance, NE, in her memory.
She was followed in death by her brother Holland C. Hargens in Feb. of 2020.