Dorotha Peltz McCullah, 86, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Highland Park in Alliance Nebraska, surrounded by her loving family.
Dorotha was born on November 30, 1926 in Alliance, Nebraska. She was the younger of two daughters born to Moses and Carrie (Petersen) Price. Dorotha attended local public schools and graduated from Alliance High School in 1944. Following high school, she entered St. Joseph’s Nursing School in Alliance and graduated with her RN degree in 1947. Following a year and a half of nursing work in Chicago, she returned to marry her love, Lumir “Butch” Peltz.
Over the span of the next eight years, four children were born to Lumir and Dorotha – Ron, Terry, Carol, and Jim. While Lumir was growing his local construction company, Dorotha’s unyielding efforts were devoted to raising the family and often working side by side with her husband. After thirteen years of marriage and with the children between kindergarten and the eighth grade, Dorotha’s husband passed away from a sudden heart attack.
Faced with monumental life changing decisions, Dorotha left behind her secure career as a Registered Nurse to continue the legacy her husband had created taking over the reins at Peltz Construction. Her first task at hand was completing the esteemed United Methodist Church Sanctuary and Parsonage. Peltz Construction grew to be one of the largest general contracting firms in western Nebraska and continues today at the forefront of technology. While still acting as CEO, Dorotha teamed up with her sons to build a company recognized as one of the world’s preeminent RCC Paving Contractors.
Following Dorotha’s retirement in 1988, she married Clayton “Mac” McCullah, a longtime friend who grew up in Alliance but resided in Concord, California. Following a short stay in California the couple moved to Mulberry, Florida where they resided until Mac’s death in 1998.
In 2002 Dorotha moved back to Alliance to be closer to her family and friends. She loved renewing her old acquaintances and spending time at the “cabin” with her kids, their families, and the great grandchildren.
Dorotha is survived by her sister, Stella Eismann of Lakeland, Florida; son, Ronald Peltz of Lexington Kentucky (grandson, Beau and his wife Jessika and great-granddaughter Gianna; grandson Luke Peltz and wife Brittni of Malcolm Nebraska; and granddaughter Veronica Wadas and husband Kody of Lincoln Nebraska); son, Terry Peltz and wife Yvette of Alliance Nebraska (grandson Allen Peltz and wife Angie and great granddaughters Taylor and Madison; grandson Butch Peltz and wife Kim and great-granddaughters Morgan and Brooke and great-grandson Troy; grandson Tyler (TJ) Peltz of Lincoln Nebraska and grandson Michael Peltz of Lincoln Nebraska;) daughter, Carol Bennett and husband Larry of Colorado Springs (granddaughter Kelly of San Francisco, California and grandson, Rex Bennett of Colorado Springs, Colorado); and son, James Peltz and wife Robyn of Alliance Nebraska (granddaughter Jenny Peltz of Alliance Nebraska and grandson, Jake Peltz of Chicago, Illinois.) She is also survived by her step-children, Dennis McCullah and wife Connie of Berkeley, California and Mark McCullah and wife Marcie of Concord, California.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband’s Lumir “Butch” Peltz, and Clayton “Mac” McCullah.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alliance with the Reverend Tom Lucas officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dorotha’s name may be sent to Prairie Haven Hospice, 2409 Box Butte Avenue, Alliance, Nebraska, 69301 or the United Methodist Church of Alliance.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.