Dolores Ruth King was born on February 19, 1930 in Caldwell, Kansas at the home of her grandmother, Cora King. Dolores’ mother, Cathryn Ruth (Kerr) King was staying with her mother-in-law while Dolores’ dad, Arthur King, was down in Oklahoma searching for a job. When he heard the news, he hurried back to Caldwell to meet his new daughter. At that time the United States was in the “Great Depression”. The banks where he had worked closed one by one. Dolores’ mother had a teaching degree. However, in those days a woman could not teach school if she were married. The couple tried various ways to make a living. Eventually they moved to a farm one-half mile from the Caldwell Cemetery. Dolores lived there until she married. When she was young, she had 42 first cousins. She was the youngest cousin on the King side, and the oldest on the Kerr side.
As an only child she was lonely but between school and chores she was able to entertain herself. Dolores spent her first six school years at the one room school, Greenman Country School, located one-half mile North and one-half mile east of her home. She was happy when the school consolidated with the Caldwell School system. She joined her class in the seventh grade. She enjoyed making new friends and the competition of the larger class. She graduated with the CHS Class of 1947.
While in high school she met Paul Allen Subera. After he came home from WWII tour of duty they began dating. Her parents insisted that she attend college for at least a year. She attended Southwestern College in Winfield for that year. She came back and worked at the Caldwell Telephone Company as an operator to earn money for marriage. Paul and Dolores were married on May 15, 1951. They drove down into Oklahoma for a three day honeymoon. They began their married life as a third generation to live on the farm, which was a homestead by Paul’s grandfather, James Subera.
They were so happy when their children were born, Sharyn in 1952 and Stuart in 1954. The couple was busy making a living, raising wheat and cattle and doing things families do as they grow together. There was a time for short trips and other fun times. Later on, having their three grandchildren to love completed their family life.
Stuart died in 1992. After that, they felt that it was time for a change. They built a home in Caldwell and enjoyed retirement years together. Paul and Dolores celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 15, 2001 by renewing their wedding vows, attended by family and friends. Paul had not been feeling well for sometime, he passed away suddenly on September 10, 2001. Dolores continued to live in their home until she passed away on April 23, 2024.
She was a member of the Caldwell United Methodist Church. She loved and was so proud of her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Cathryn King, husband Paul and son, Stuart.
She is survived by her daughter, Sharyn Mayo and her husband Tom, grandchildren Kyle Mayo, Matt Mayo and his wife Marilee, and Kara Shults and her husband Daniel, great-grandchildren Addison and Austin Mayo and Tessa Shults and other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 29, 2024 at Schaeffer Mortuary in Caldwell, Kansas with Dr. Matt Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Czechoslovakian Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Czech Cemetery or to the Caldwell EMS Fund and sent in care of the mortuary.
