Delores J. Larkin

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Delores “Dee” Jean Larkin, passed away at the Josie Harper Hospice House on May 3, 2024, after suffering a devastating stroke. 

 Dee was born on March 9, 1949 in Hastings, Nebraska to Homer and Loretta (McTygue) Herring.  Dee had two older sisters, Mary Louise, and Sandi.  The family moved to Omaha early in Dee’s childhood, so her father could take on the position of Head Chef at Happy Hollow Country Club.  Dee and her sisters spent their summer days swimming at the pool and enjoying time outside with their friends. 

In high school, Dee joined her sisters in a part-time job at Northwestern Bell, as a telephone operator.  Dee attended college and continued working in several positions in the telecommunications industry and retired as a computer specialist after 45 years in the field!

Dee had three daughters, Sarah, Jessica and Laura, who learned many important values from their mom.  She demonstrated the importance of working hard, maintaining loyalty, integrity and honesty in all of life’s pursuits.  Dee worked to instill the values of education, and financial stability, as her own parents had modeled to her so that her daughters grew up to be independent and successful women.  

While Dee worked very hard over the course of her career, she also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.  When her girls were young, she loved coaching softball, and could often be heard passionately cheering for her daughters and players!  Dee loved to meet friends for coffee, plant flowers, and collect a variety of indoor plants, and maintain them with her “green thumb”.  Dee was also an avid reader, who made time to read as many books as possible, and always had one or two around to pick up for a few minutes of reading here and there.  

Additionally, Dee had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh with her friends, family and neighbors; she was quick to offer a funny joke or a witty reply! Her humor and warm smile will be missed by all.  In recent years, as a resident at her assisted living facility, staff and residents lovingly referred to her as “Delightful Dee”! Her daughters and grandchildren will tell you this nickname was spot-on as there was nothing that delighted her more than cuddling, reading, singing and playing with her grandchildren.  Becoming a grandma, was one of Grandma Dee-Dee’s greatest accomplishments and she held that title near and dear to her heart. 

Dee is survived by her daughters, Sarah (Aaron) Miller of Omaha, Nebraska; Jessica (Bryan) Shepherd, of Denver, Colorado as well as three grand-children, Evan Miller of Omaha, Nebraska, Norah Shepherd and Emmett Shepherd both of Denver, Colorado.  

Also surviving are her sisters, Mary Lou Herring of Omaha, Nebraska, and Sandi (Rick) Nolan of Omaha, Nebraska, as well as nieces, grand-nieces and nephews.  

Dee was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Loretta Herring; and daughter, Laura Wright. 

Celebration of Life Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 11:00am at the Pacific Street Chapel.  

Visitation with the family one hour prior to the service.  

Donations are suggested in Dee’s memory to the American Stroke Foundation, or the Alzheimer’s Association.  Dee and her extended family have been impacted by both, and the family would appreciate any donations towards either cause.