Dorothy Fern (Pusel) Earnest, widow of LaVern B. Earnest, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, May 10, 2021 in Seward, Nebraska. Dorothy was born in Fremont, Nebraska to Louis and Christine (Field) Pusel on August 22, 1920. In 1928, her father was transferred to Seward where they made their home. Dorothy attended school both in Fremont and Seward, graduating from Seward High School in 1938. In 1939, she was married in David City, Nebraska to LaVern B. Earnest. To this union four children were born, LaVern Charles, Judy Lynn, Ben III, and Michael Pusel.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, LaVern B.; son, LaVern C.; a brother and wife, Ken and Sophronia of Monitor, Washington; a sister, Leona of Fremont, Nebraska; two infant sisters, Margaret and Lucille; brother's and sister's in-law, Geraldine and Harry Bruns, Maxine and Wayne Stutzman, Melvin and Mary Lou Earnest, and Betty Earnest; and grandchildren, Dora Bianco and Leroy Higgins.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Judy Earnest; son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Linda Earnest, all of Seward; son and daughter-in-law; Michael and Rebecca Earnest of Parker, Colorado; sister in-law and brother in-law, Ralph and Shirley Ebers, of Lincoln, Nebraska; 14 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and friends.

Dorothy was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church in Milford where she taught Sunday School and Bible School. Dorothy was also a Camp Fire Girl Leader. She enjoyed ceramics, sewing, quilting and many crafts. She loved to watch the Cornhuskers and the Denver Broncos.

Dorothy and LaVern started Earnest Well Drilling in the early 1970's. They spent many winters in Texas and Arizona, where they made many new friends. In the last years of Dorothy's life, she was in the loving and compassionate care of her daughter and caregiver, Judy Earnest.