Dolores Kahookele

Former Hastings resident and kindergarten teacher, Dolores Kahookele, 89, died of respiratory failure Monday, February 18, 2013 in Denver, Colorado.

Her life will be celebrated during visitation Friday, March 22, 2013 at Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home in Hastings, Nebraska. Stop in any time between 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Memorials in her name may be directed to the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History, Children's Museum of Central Nebraska, or Colorado Talking Books.

Mrs. Kahookele was born June 11, 1923, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Harold and Elsa Schwenker. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School and the University of Nebraska. She taught elementary school in Iowa and Kansas before she began teaching in Hana, Maui, Hawaii. She married Herbert Kahookele in July 10, 1954. In 1956, she and her husband moved to Hastings, Nebraska, with their daughter Lynn. She taught at Hawthorne School until the birth of her daughter Gail. The family returned to Hawaii in 1960. In 1966, with additional daughter Lisa, the family returned to settle in Hastings. Dolores taught kindergarten at Longfellow school from 1966 until she retired in 1987. She moved back to Lincoln two years after her husband's death in 2004. She moved to Colorado in 2009 to be near family. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, a Delta Delta Delta alumna, ADK, P.E.O., Retired Teachers' Association, church circles, several bridge clubs, and she was a volunteer at Hastings Museum during retirement.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; sister, Carolyn; and parents.

Survivors include:
Daughters & Sons-in-law: Lynn & Jim Melena - Lakewood, CO
Gail Kahookele - Littleton, CO
Lisa Kahookele & Dan Kivlahan - Boone, IA
Grandchildren & Spouse: Michael & Carol Melena
James Melena
Thomas Kivlahan
Edward Kivlahan
Great-Grandchildren: Lillian Melena
Matthew Melena