Dora Elaine Tomonelli

Dora Tomonelli was born December 9th, 1928 in Merna, NE as Dora Elaine to George and Lola Daugherty. She was the fourth of five children and the only daughter. Dora graduated from Merna High School in 1946 and began her career in government service at the ASCS office in Broken Bow, Nebraska. In the early 1950s, she moved to Omaha, where she embarked on a distinguished 35-year career in Transportation at Offutt Air Force Base. She retired as Supervisor of Outbound Household Goods. Throughout her tenure, Dora supported troop deployments during both the Korean and Vietnam wars and received multiple Outstanding Civilian Service Awards during her tenure. Her years supporting our country’s troops, officers, and foreign advocates provided her a unique perspective of people, cultures and situations around the world. In the 1950s, Dora briefly married and raised two daughters as a single mother—an uncommon path during a time when women were seldom granted credit or financial independence. Determined and resourceful, she purchased a home on her own and worked tirelessly to provide a stable, loving environment for her girls. In 1976, Dora married Vito Tomonelli, and together they made their home in Valley, Nebraska, until relocating to Omaha in 2019. Dora embraced retirement with the same energy she brought to her career, volunteering at the Valley Library and supporting numerous projects at Waterloo United Methodist Church. She was an active member of the “Bag Ladies,” creating scarves, hats, and mittens for those in need, and she generously served at fellowship events, funerals, and church activities. Dora will be remembered as a loving wife and mother—charitable, loyal, and unfailingly honest. Her word was as steadfast as any contract. She sought the good in everyone and approached the world with kindness and without judgment. Dora passed on November 25, 2025. She is survived by her daughters, Jacquelyn Spano of Dayton, NV, and Michele Vencil of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Marcella (Jim) Wiegand, Michael (Kim) Spano of Valley Springs, CA, Alyssa (Anthony) Saito of Maui, HI, and Lauren (Kevin) Tirapelle of Carson City, NV; as well as seven great-grandchildren. Memorials are suggested to theWaterloo Methodist Church or the Valley Library.

Dora Elaine Tomonelli

December 9, 1928 - November 25, 2025