Dorothy M. Wykert

Dorothy M. Wykert, 99, of Grant, Nebraska, passed away August 18, 2026, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Dorothy was born April 1, 1927, on the Bell Ranch in Perkins County, NE, to Jesse and Gertrude (Fellman) Bell. She graduated from Lincoln Northeast at the end of the first semester of her senior year in 1944, cutting her schooling short due to the war. On April 1, 1946, Dorothy eloped to St. Francis, Kansas, with Dwayne C. Wykert and their friends, the McCormicks, and they were married. The couple made their home in Grant, and their union was blessed with two children, Kendall and Kerry. She and Dwayne shared over fifty years together before his passing in November of 1997.

In her early years, Dorothy was a telephone operator in Lincoln during the war effort, and she had quite a few interesting stories from those days. She finished her career as an operator in Grant. In later years, she worked in the school cafeteria, where she always enjoyed being around the children. She and Dwayne did a great deal in 4-H with horses, and when Dwayne served on the school board, Dorothy was his right hand. She was a fifty-year member of the Congregational Church in Grant. Above all, Dorothy was a loving wife, mother, and grandma. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Dwayne; her daughter, Kerry Lehl; her brother, Clair (Evelyn) Bell; and her nephew, Tom Bell.

She is survived by her son, Kenny (Patsy) Wykert of Grant, Nebraska; her son-in-law, Tom Lehl of Grant; five grandchildren, Kolby (Carrie) Wykert, Tara Tjaden, Kraig (Jessica) Wykert, Brandon (Jasmine) Lehl, and Bellamy (Travis) Handy; ten great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the former First Congregational Church in Grant with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating. Inurnment will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in Dorothy's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.