Feb. 5, 1919 – Jul. 18, 2008
Dorothy Ellen Roth, 89, died July l8, 2008 at the Mennonite Care Center in Albany.
She was born Feb. 5, 1919 in Barlow to Gustaf and Bertha Gronquist, immigrants from Sweden.
When she was 1 year old, her mother died in the Spanish flu epidemic, leaving six children behind. She and her sister, Elnora, went to live with neighbors Adam and Wilma Miller, who raised them as their own. These were Depression days and the Millers often opened their home to needy people. The Millers raised the Gronquist sisters in the Mennonite faith.
She married Dan Roth, March 21, 1941. He died March 15, 1995. For 50 years they farmed and logged in the Sweet Home area. Mrs. Roth was a member of the Sweet Home Church of Christ, 18th and Long and was actively involved in the church until her health forced her move to Albany.
Mrs. Roth was a member of the Sweet Home art society. Her oil and watercolor paintings are proudly displayed in the homes of many friends and family. She enjoyed gardening, antiquing, entertaining, and spending time with friends and family.
She is survived by her sister, Elnora Wheeler of Prineville; sons and daughters-in-law David and Janette Roth and Galyn and Kathleen Roth, of Christmas Valley; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 25, at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home with a memorial service at 2 p.m. Friday, July 25, at 18th and Long Street Church of Christ in Sweet Home.
Donations may be made in memory of Dorothy Roth to Bridgebuilders International, a Christian mission organization through which her grandson, Dan, is serving in Latvia.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.