Dolores Elaine Nutt (Dee), 91, went to be with the Lord March 4, 2013, peacefully in her sleep.

She was born Dec. 14, 1921, the oldest of nine kids to Ann and Clifford Stark in Salem, South Dakota.

She had many fond memories of growing up on her parents’ dairy farm. Her family moved to Minnesota where, in 1939, after high school she married Gordon Nutt. Together they had eight children.

In 1942 Gordon’s poor health led them to Richmond, Calif. He later discovered Lake County, Calif., through work, and in 1952 they moved their family there. Dolores always referred to Lake County as “God’s Country.”

Widowed at age 37 in 1958, Dolores sometimes worked two jobs at a time to support her family.

In April of 1966 she married Doc Carden and became mom to give more children. Their union ended 10 years later and she moved to Walnut Creek.

She was a banquet waitress for many years in a lot of dinner houses; one of her favorites was the Nugget in Sparks, Nev.

At 62 she married Pete Nutt, gaining three more children and moved with him to Minnesota. Ten years later they moved home to Lakeport, where she happily lived the rest of her life.

Dolores always had a hand in community and children’s activities. She was an accomplished craftswoman, from crocheting gorgeous blankets to painting, sewing, needlepoint and many others.

She was at one time head cook at the high school, took part in her kids sports, soap box races, she was a 4-H leader and in her later years she was a member of the Red Hatters Society, Lake County Historical Society and Woman’s Catholic Church Guild.

Being a breast cancer survivor, she took part in Relay for Life events.

She was happiest when she was surrounded by people, family, friends and even strangers in need of a good meal, a warm hug or a friend. She loved to gather loved ones, cook up a feast and enjoy her family.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Ann and Clifford Stark; brothers, Laurell, Neland and Marlin Stark; sister, Dodie Whitecotton; husbands, Gordon S. Nutt, Doc Carden and Pete Nutt; sons, Gordon A. Nutt and Delaney Nutt; daughters, Gerri Bauer and Bunny Nawrocki; and granddaughters, Elizabeth Bybee and Carrie Ann Nutt.

This wonderful woman is survived by daughters, Sherry (Monty) Rodgers, Diana (Johnny) Ashley, Rita (Terry) Stacy, LaDonna (Dan) Curtis and Annie Daskum; sons, Donovan (Marilyn) Nutt, Donald (Debbie) Nutt, David (Dale) Carden, Tony Carden, Michael Carden, Gary (Ann) Nutt and Ronnie Nutt; sisters, Donnie (Don) Mercer, Marlene (Roger) Wickum, Luana (Rich) Cook, Nornell Souheaver and Wanda Stark.

She was blessed with 42 grandchildren, more than 50 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews, friends and loved ones too numerous to count.

She was strength, she was faith and she was love. She will be forever missed.

The celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Chapel of the Lakes, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport, Calif. Reception immediately following at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave. Her final resting place is Hartley Cemetery.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .