Helen 'Delores' Roney

July 15, 1942-Sept. 18, 2011

STRATTON, Nebraska -- Helen "Delores" Roney, age 69, of Stratton, Nebraska, died Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, at the Sarah Ann Hester Home in Benkelman, Nebraska.

Delores was born July 15, 1942, in Benkelman to parents Wesley "Bud" and Helen Bunning. Delores attended Benkelman High School.

On Oct. 6, 1963, Helen married the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Wayne Roney in Chillicothe, Missouri. This union was blessed with two daughters, Teressa and Sarah.

Delores worked as a CSM in the nursing home for many years. In the early 1980s she began working as a dispatcher for the Dundy County Police Department. In 1984, she attended the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center where she graduated in the top five of her class. That year she became the first female deputy sheriff of Dundy County. She was very proud of her achievement and enjoyed her employment there. She later had to relinquish her duties there due to health and back problems.

Delores loved getting together with family, hunting, and going to the movies. She enjoyed very much playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters Teressa Ritchey of Jamesport, Missouri and Sarah Roney of Trenton, Nebraska; her brother Jack (Connie) Bunning of North Platte, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Chris, Justin, Marissa, Heather, Nicki and Sheree; four great grandchildren, Hailee, Jayden, Keira and Cason; and many nieces and nephews. Three nieces special to her heart, Brenda, Laura and Lana, lovingly called her "Auntie."

Delores was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents, Wesley "Bud" and Helen; and her brother, Dennis.

Memorials are suggested to the Donor's Choice.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, at 10 a.m., also at the Forch Funeral Chapel with Ron Clark officiating. Burial will follow in the Benkelman Cemetery.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman has been entrusted with the arrangements.