Dorothy Jane Bewley Kraft died July 15, 2026, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. She was born on October. 27, 1923, in Oklahoma City, to Winton and Jane Bewley who proceeded her in death as did her brother Tom Bewley. After spending most of her youth in Oklahoma City, Dorothy moved to Nevada in time to graduate from Nevada High School in 1941, and then from Cottey College in 1943.
In 1944, she married Joe Kraft at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Nevada. She had three children, Clint Kraft (Janet), Olathe, KS., Sally Kraft Sandy, (Frank), Eureka, MO., and Paula Kraft Neal, Tontitown, AR. She had six grandchildren, Lindsey Petersen (Grahm), Adam Sandy (Tomoko), Laura Weber (Scott), Sarah Jewell (Brian), Amy Neal and Clint Neal (Nicole). Her ten great-grandchildren, Rosemary and Ozzy Petersen, Anya and Kira Sandy, Josephine and Benjamin Weber, Luke and Jackson Jewell and Cole and Lia Neal brought constant joy to Dorothy.
Joe and Dorothy married in 1944, just one year after Joe enlisted. Dorothy was in Nevada and wanted to do her part for the war effort as well. To that end she worked in the Pittsburg Bomb making facility. She shared many stories with the family about the girls on the line who were less than careful with the materials, which endangered the workers’ lives.
After the war Dorothy worked at the family business, Henry Kraft Mercantile and later worked at Cottey College. She was active in the wider Nevada community helping Joe in every way possible, especially in establishing the Village Market and renovating seven buildings in East Nevada. It is safe to say that whatever community awards Joe received, Dorothy was right by his side helping polish ideas and edit speeches. Dorothy was a major supporter of the Bushwhacker Museum. She worked tirelessly from its inception and was a major contributor to the move to its current location.
Having been initiated in 1943, Dorothy was a member of P.E.O. for 84 years. She served as President of Chapter DW three times and opened her home as a P.E.O. B&B for Cottey parents. In addition, she baked birthday cakes for Cottey girls to help celebrate their special days. All in all, she was a tireless worker for and supporter of P.E.O. and Cottey College.
Dorothy was a lifelong and faithful member of All Saints' Episcopal Church. She sang in the choir for many years and helped oversee the building project from the old Parish Hall and Rectory to the buildings standing today.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Lisa Ann Reed, Christi Crow and Sheila Bullock, Dorothy’s caregivers of many years. Their love and support for both Dorothy and her family were beyond measure.
The family suggests memorials be sent to All Saints' Episcopal Church, 425 E Cherry St, Nevada, MO 64772 or Cottey College, 1000 W. Austin Blvd, Nevada, MO 64772.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12th, 2026, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Nevada.
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