Delores “Dee” Ouellette, 80, died Sunday, June 26, 2022 at her residence in Clay Center, KS surrounded by those who loved her dearly. She was born February 14, 1942 in Clifton, KS to Elden and Mabel (Lillibridge) Hill. Dee grew up and attended school in Clifton. On October 29, 1959 she was united in marriage to Raymond “Jerry” Ouellette. The couple traveled with Jerry’s occupation as a surveyor before moving to Clay Center in 1970.
They owned and operated several local businesses over the years including the Silver Dollar, Dee & Jerry’s, Tiger’s Den, Low Places, Southside and Donley’s Liquor Store. Dee was also employed at the Locker Plant, Boogaart’s and was the cafeteria supervisor at Clay Center Community Middle School for many years before retiring. Dee was member of the Clay Center Christian Church, B.P.O.E. and the Eagles.
Dee knew no stranger, was a great friend to many and always wore a smile. She was known to countless others as “Grandma Dee” and it’s undoubtedly from her loving and caring nature. One of her favorite things to do was support her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all of their activities, including sports. She was their #1 fan and rarely missed a game. Every year Dee looked forward to hosting Christmas Eve at her house with all of her family and closest friends which always included a picture with “Santa and Mrs. Claus”.
Dee is preceded in death by her parents Elden and Mabel Hill and husband, Jerry. Survivors include: daughter Sandra (Kim) Carpenter of Clay Center, KS; daughter Karen (Russ) Britt of Cabot, Arkansas; son Kenneth (Jackie) Ouellette of Clay Center, KS; son Michael (Trisa) Ouellette of Clay Center, KS; sister Linda (Fred) Lupher of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister-in-law Annette (Scott) Woodbury of Hutchinson, KS; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Respect calls will be Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, KS. Funeral services will be held at the Clay Center United Methodist Church on Friday, July 1, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to Clay County Animal Rescue & Education (CCARE) or Meadowlark Hospice and can be sent c/o the funeral home.