AVOCA -- Dorothy Lucille Rasmussen was born on a farm north of Harlan, Nov 1. 1914, one of three children born to Elmer and Margaret Book Mehrens, the family moved to Avoca in 1922.

Dorothy married Oscar Bornholdt April 6, 1938. He lived at the Mehrens rooming house at the time. She worked at Wendt Drug Store and Trout's Dime and Dollar. Oscar died May 27, 1950. Dorothy worked for Elva Zoeller at the Wedgewood Cafe as a waitress and cook.

She married Garland Faddis May 8, 1952. They were the parents of a son, Elmer. Dorothy and her mother started Mehrens Rest Home in 1955. After her mother retired in 1962, Dorothy ran the rest home.

March 2, 1952, she married Earl Rasmussen. They sold the rest home in 1975, and lived on the farm until Earl's health failed in 1982, when the moved to town. Earl died March 20, 1988, following heart surgery. She died June 10, 2003 at the Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, NE, at age 86 years, seven months and nine days.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbands, Oscar Bornholdt and Earl Rasmussen; her infant sister, Marie; and her brother Harry "Bud" Mehrens. She is survived by her son, Elmer Faddis, and his fiancee, Peggy Dillard of Rochester, IL; two grandchildren, Aaron Faddis of Ames and Addam Faddis of Atlanta, GA; and other relatives.

A funeral Mass was held June 13, 2003, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Avoca with Father Fred Reischl officiating. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery. Casket bearers were Ray Nielsen, Ryan Pieken, Dustin Pieken, Tim Pieken, Nathan Pieken and William True, Pauley Knutson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.