Dorothy Ellen Roth, age 89, passed away July 18, 2008 at the Mennonite Home care center in Albany.

Dorothy was born February 5, 1919 in Barlow, Oregon to Gustaf and Bertha Gronquist, immigrants from Sweden. When Dorothy was one year old, her mother died in the Spanish flu epidemic, leaving six children behind. Dorothy 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 Dorothy and her sister in the Mennonite faith.

Dorothy married Dan Roth, March 21, 1941. He passed away March 15, 1995. For 50 years they farmed and logged in the Sweet Home area. Dorothy was a member of the Sweet Home Church of Christ, 18th and Long St., and was actively involved in the church until her health forced her move to Albany.

Dorothy was a member of the Sweet Home art society. Her oil and water color paintings are now proudly displayed in the homes of many friends and family. She enjoyed gardening, antiquing, entertaining, and spending time with friends and family.

Surviving family includes her sister, Elnora Wheeler, of Prineville, Oregon; children, David and Janette Roth and Galyn and Kathleen Roth of Christmas Valley, Oregon; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will take place at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 25, at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m., the same day at 18th & Long Church of Christ, 1825 Long Street, Sweet Home, Oregon.

Donations may be made in memory of Dorothy Roth to Bridgebuilders International, a Christion mission organization (http://www.bridgebuildersint.com/). Her grandson, Dan, is serving with Bridgebuilders International in Latvia.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.