Halfway, Oregon
Dorothy Louise Romine Smelcer, 91, of Halfway, died May 6, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
Her graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway.
Dorothy was born Dec. 24, 1911, at Alamont, Kan., to Eber and Irene Romine. She was the second of nine children. Her family moved to Pine Valley in 1917. She attended Sunnydell School and graduated from Pine Valley High School in 1931.
She married Lawrence J. Smelcer on June 1, 1931, at Vancouver, Wash. They were married for 72 years, and were partners in the cattle operation. They lived on Dry Creek for five years and moved to the home place in the spring of 1941. They raised three children together.
Dorothy enjoyed her garden, her family, painting her scenery pictures and traveling to Yuma, Ariz., to escape the harsh winters in Pine Valley. In her youth, she enjoyed playing basketball.
Survivors include her husband, Lawrence; her sons, Ben Smelcer and his wife, Dortha, of Halfway, and Dean Smelcer and his wife, Margaret, of Emmett, Idaho; daughter, Pam Andersen, and her husband, Terry, of Pendleton; her sisters, Audrey Shaw of Grand Junction, Colo., and Joie McDowall, and her husband, Jack, of Hillsboro; her brother, Harry Romine and his wife, Angie, of Portland; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eber and Irene Romine; a grandson, Ray; three brothers, Russell, John and Bob; and two sisters, Helen and Norma.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Halfway/Oxbow Ambulance Service through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 9, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
