On Friday, October 27, 2023, Dottie Jane Oliver, 88, was called to heaven to gather her rewards and be reunited with all the loved ones who have been waiting for her. She was in her home surrounded by family.
Dorothea “Dottie” Jane Oliver was born June 26, 1935 to Edwin and Edith Moothart in the little mining town of Terry, SD. She came into this world weighing only 3 lbs. So tiny, they put a cotton blanket in a shoe box for her bed and put her in a warm oven to sleep. Dottie was the baby of five brothers and one sister. She grew up and went to school in Hebo, OR, then came to visit her sister in South Dakota. This is where she met the love of her life and decided to stay. Dottie married Donald Oliver on February 21, 1954. They made their home in Boulder Canyon and raised five children. They enjoyed visiting with friends and family and playing cards. They traveled in their motorhome together for many years and loved spending time with their kids and grandkids. Dottie stood right alongside him for their 63 years of marriage until Donald went to heaven in 2017. She missed him dearly.
Dottie was feisty and independent. She had several jobs over the years, such as Candy Striper at the Deadwood Hospital, bookkeeper/secretary for an insurance company, and working at the cheese factory in Sturgis for several years. Her favorite job was working as a cashier at Four Aces and later the Gold Dust in Deadwood. After he retired, Donald became her driver and took her back and forth to work. She would “pay” him by giving him her tips and he loved it! Dottie continued to work in Deadwood after Donald went to heaven, but reluctantly retired after the drive became too difficult. Dottie was very talented at cross stitch, knitting, and crocheting. She made afghans for every new baby. She also loved spending her time with family and talking on the phone. She embraced technology. In the 70a and 80s she liked Pac Man and Frogger, and later playing her “games” on her phone and laptop. She loved to text and they were filled with emojis and were always signed, “Love, Mom and Daisy”. Daisy was her cat, or as she would say, “I’m Daisy’s person”. Dottie was blessed with many friends and loved ones who will miss her dearly.
Dottie was a faithful Christian and loved the Lord. Whenever anyone asked her how she was doing she would say, “The Lord takes very good care of me”, and He did.
She is survived by three daughters, Lee Ann McLaughlin, Peggy Sue (Tom) Rounds, and Merri Jo (Arlon) Leetch; 13 grandchildren, Travis, Adam, Julie, Josh, Ryan, Autumn, Heather, Collin, Jesse, Jordan, Kyle, Skyler, and Dusty; 23 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; two sons, Ed and Gary; and one granddaughter, Tiffany Winter.
Visitation will be Saturday, November 4, 2023, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m., Kinkade Funeral Chapel, Sturgis, SD. Graveside services and burial will be at Bear Butte Cemetery, Sturgis, SD.
