Obituary
July 2014
Her obituary was published in July 2014. Dorothy Elfering, 89, of Ontario, formerly of Vale, died July 8, 2014 after 4-1/2 years at Presbyterian Community Care Center (PCCC).
Dorothy was born March 23, 1925 at Gravette, Arkansas, to Ira Jacob Loghry and Beulah Setser. At age 4 the family moved to Raton, Mew Mexico after her mother contracted tuberculosis, to provide a better climate for her health. Beulah later passed away there during childbirth and Ira moved Dorothy and his son, Billy, back to Arkansas to be close to family. There is where Dorothy started her education, first at Rocky Dell grade school and later Sulphur Springs.
Ira later met and married Lee Frost and that union brought four sisters and a brother into the family. Ira also contracted TB and the family moved to Vale, Oregon to be closer to family. Family again stepped in to help with Dorothy and Billy and that meant moving them back to Arkansas. Finally in 1942 an aunt and uncle relocated Dorothy and Billy yet one more time and brought them back to Vale.
With a huge amount of support from many around her, Dorothy graduated from Vale High School in 1944. Her high school classmates were very dear to her and she kept in touch with many of them until her death.
Upon graduation from high school she went to work in a grocery store in Vale owned by Oscar Daley. While working one day she met a handsome young man, who would be the love of her love and husband for 67 years. On June 16, 1947 she married that young man and became Mrs. Jake Elfering. Together they brought four children to the world: Diana, Jenny, Mike and Lynne.
Dorothy was a hard working rancher's wife and mother. Her children and grandchildren were the greatest joys of her life. Family and church were her biggest priorities and it was through her faith in God that she lived everyday.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Jake; daughters: Diana (Bruce) Spelman and Lynne Ramos; grandchildren: Chris (Angie) Spelman, Mike (Ashley) Spelman, Joe (Stacey) Spelman, Brenda (Kraig) Brooks, Kelli McElroy, Coby Ramos, T.J. (Kelsey) Ramos and K'Dean Ramos; brother, Joe (Glenda) Loghry; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was met in Heaven by her parents; daughter, Jenny; son, Mike; sons-in-law, Jim and Tony; sisters: Shirley, Jean, Wilma and Betty; and brother, Billy Loghry.
Memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, The Alzheimer's Association or PCCC activities fund.
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire staff at PCCC for the amazing care and the day to day support and hugs given to Jake as he visited his girl daily.
Mom, we love you and have yet to realize how much you will be missed.
The Rosary service will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Ontario on Monday July 14th, 2014 at 6 P.M. Funeral services will be held Tuesday July 15th, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at 11 A.M., with the Burial at Valley View cemetery in Vale at 2 P.M. that same day. Lienkaemper Chapel, Vale.