Dorothy Mae Slagell was born to Amos Henry and Mary (Mussselman) Brubaker, on August 21, 1935 in Sheridan, Oregon, and passed away Saturday, December 24, 2022, at her home in rural Hydro, Oklahoma, surrounded by her family, at the age of 87 years, 4 months and 3 days.

From birth, her sister, Helen, age 20, and her brother, Amos E, age 18, had a hand in her upbringing with their advice, encouragement, and prayers.

Her parents made family devotions and a relationship with the Lord a priority. At the age of 10 she recognized her need of Jesus as her savior and was baptized.

Dorothy attended school in Sweet Home her first 2 years. They then moved to the country where she attended Liberty School. She later attended and graduated from Western Mennonite High school near Salem.

After graduation she got a job at a home for the aged and fell in love with nursing and later went to Puerto Rico to help a friend in missions work who was having a baby, and ended up staying and working as an operating room tech with Christian Service for 2 years.

Not long before she left for Puerto Rico, she was a bridesmaid for her friend, Roberta, who was marrying Carl Dean Slagell.  There she met Layman, who was a groomsman for his brother.  Because her mind was on her upcoming trip, she didn't pay much attention.  However, Roberta encouraged her new brother-in-law to write to Dorothy.  They corresponded and built a relationship by mail and it didn't take long for them to realize they were meant for each other.  They married August 23, 1959 in Sweet Home Mennonite Church.

They made their home in Hydro, Oklahoma, on the farm where Layman was born and raised. She joined and was an active member of the Pleasant View Mennonite Church in rural Hydro. She was active in Sunday School, Bible School and Sewing Circle. At home, she was often found sitting in her rocker having devotions or praying with her door closed in her bedroom. Her home was always open to her children's friends, nieces and nephews and generally anyone who would stop in. Each of these were always treated as her own.

Dorothy postponed her dream of attending nursing school until her children were grown, to be a fully devoted to helping her husband on the farm and to raising their children and foster children.  She always had a large garden and canned food from it for the large family. In 1987 she fulfilled her nursing school dream and became an LPN, working at Maple Lawn Manor, Thomas Nursing Home and Littlebird Nursing Home as well as a few years as a home health care provider.

Dorothy was preceded in passing by her parents, Amos H and Mary Brubaker; her brother, Amos E Brubaker; sister, Helen Hamilton; her husband of 62 years, Layman Slagell; a foster daughter, Stella Joseph; five brothers-in-law; and five sisters-in-law.

Dorothy is survived by two sons, Dale Slagell and wife, Rosa of Weatherford Oklahoma and Gaylon Slagell and wife, Carin of Spring, Texas; two daughters, LeAnn Gossen and husband, Kim of Corn, Oklahoma and Geneva Penner and husband, Hal of Weatherford, Oklahoma; two forever daughters, Della Kelley of Weatherford and Tina Fergus and husband, Tim of Enid, Oklahoma; one sister-in-law, Roberta Slagell of Hydro; fifteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Mission fund or The Hydro First Responders.