Dorothy Slusher, age 93, of Miles City passed away on May 12, 2013 at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Dorothy Pearl Root Slusher was born on the family place in Westmore, Montana, on May 4, 1921, the first child of Dora Bolton and George Harry Root. The family moved to “the Island” neighborhood of Miles City in 1933 and Dorothy soon began working to help support the family of seven, starting at one of the neighborhood grocers on Woodbury Street north of the tracks. Soon after her sister Adeline began her employment at the Star Printing and Supply Company, Dorothy began working in the Star’s commercial print shop. Dorothy continued her employment at the Star until her retirement in 1984.
An even longer involvement for Dorothy was her lifelong commitment to her faith and her church and its community. Dorothy joined the Foursquare Church in the mid-1930’s and she dedicated significant amounts of her non-work time to church activities, including Sunday afternoon church group hikes up Yellowstone Hill, during tick season! Summer church camp was the highlight of Dorothy’s early years, a few days’ break from fulltime employment and helping maintain the household. Dorothy taught Sunday school for decades and was equally involved with Bible study groups and Christian Businesswomen’s Club. Dorothy’s community involvement continued after her retirement; she finally insisted on relinquishing the presidency of the local AARP chapter just two summers ago.
The lives of “the Root girls” took a big turn the autumn of 1957 when Dorothy married that dapper Roy Slusher in the “old” Foursquare Church sanctuary. No sooner had the newlyweds driven off for honeymoon in Roy’s powder blue Cadillac than Adeline eloped with a co-worker from the Star, Art Bartle. The nieces and nephews did not lose their beloved aunties, but gained two swell uncles, and both marriages lasted their lifetimes. Dorothy and Roy remained involved with their respective churches and each got involved with the other’s, enlarging spiritual communities for them both.
Dorothy and Roy enjoyed many travels together and each year’s autumn vacation would take them to visit relatives and friends many states away. Roy’s “Army Buddy Gang” and their wives gathered annually in the town of one of the couples. The gang very much enjoyed themselves the year the Slushers hosted in Miles City.
With two church communities and families in town, Dorothy baked most weekends, and cooked for gathered meals frequently. She could make pie crust without thinking and she had a vast repertoire of baked, no-bake, and bar cookies. She was also one of the Jello Queens and her deviled eggs were sought and fought after.
Over the last few years, Dorothy was mostly engaged in riding herd on Roy. The couple got out for coffee as long as they were able. In May of 2012, the couple moved to the Extended Care Unit of Holy Rosary Healthcare where Roy passed over in September. And now, Dorothy has been “prayed safely Home,” where her faith has been leading her ongoingly.
As well as her husband Roy, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers Dan and Ben. Surviving Dorothy are her sister Adeline Bartle and her brother Sam, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Living Way Fellowship Church in Miles City. Interment will be held in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Living Way Fellowship, 708 Missouri, Miles City, MT 59301.
Service Schedule
Visitation
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday May 24, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Saturday May 25, 2013
Living Way Fellowship
708 Missouri
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday May 24, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Saturday May 25, 2013
Living Way Fellowship
708 Missouri
Miles City, MT
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Bobbi Askin says
Good bye dear neighbor. Miss you and Roy. You were great neighbors and great friends.
B Dean Holmes says
If one gets to heaven, then we will see you and Roy again.
Janet Loomis says
Rest in Peace sweet lady. What a wonderful Godly woman. I will never forget her.
Fred south says
I have many fond memories of Dorothy, as I attended the Miles City Foursquare Church with her for years.
Kristi, Rob, and Reece Hinrichs says
Sweet Dorothy…..always kind and sweet and so loved the Lord. Loved listening to you sing in church!! Wonderful memories of you!
RALPH AND GLORIA DUNEMAN says
REST IN PEACE DOROTHY YOUR COUSINS RALPH AND GLORIA DUNEMAN
Jan Goss says
I remember Dorothy when I worked at the Star many, many years ago. What a wonderful lady!
Aaron Mollie Robert and Michael Phipps says
I always remember Dorothy from Christian Women’s Club, where she was always up for a visit, and made everyone so welcome. Heaven truly gained an angel, may she sing in his choir until we meet again! Rest In Peace sweet lady!