Dorothy Juanita Slaughter

Dorothy Juanita Slaughter, one of ten children of Frank Allen and Grace Mae (Weaver) Fichter, was born on a farm in Mills County, Iowa on February 15, 1916. Her family lived on the farm until 1926, when they moved to a farm west of Oakland, Iowa. Dorothy attended school in Carson, Iowa until the 10th grade, when her family moved to a farm east of Treynor, Iowa. Dorothy graduated from the Treynor High School in 1934. Following graduation, Dorothy worked as the manager of the lunch counter at the Woolworth's Store in Council Bluffs, Iowa until 1947.

Dorothy and Harold Fredrick Slaughter were married on August 30, 1947 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The couple moved to Tacoma, Washington where Harold was stationed in the Army. They made their home wherever Harold assigned, and lived in North Carolina, overseas in France, and Rantoul, Illinois where he was honorably discharged. Their marriage was blessed with son Harold Frank. Dorothy's family grew to include Harold's children, Larry and Ann Marie. Following the military service, Harold moved his family to Turkey where he took a civilian job. In 1967, they returned to Iowa to live in Council Bluffs and then moved to Carson in 1977.

Dorothy was a member of the Carson Presbyterian Church. Her love of collecting elephant figurines through the years grew to over 200, with each bringing a fond memory or two. Dorothy also enjoyed and loved baking and decorating cakes. She shared her enjoyment by teaching cake-decorating classes in her home while living in North Carolina, France and Turkey. After moving to Council Bluffs, she continued her cake decorating at Alder's Bakery in Omaha, Nebraska until retirement in 1981.

Dorothy and Harold were married 39 years when Harold died on February 16, 1986. Dorothy continued to make her home in Carson. In January 2006, she became a resident at the Oakland Manor.

Dorothy passed away at the Manor on September 25, 2012 at the age of 96 years, 7 months, and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold; stepson Larry Slaughter and wife Susan; stepdaughter Ann Marie; sisters, Vera Reiber and husband Walter, Lela Donahue and husband Danny, and Bonnie Sales and husband Howard; brothers, Archie Fichter and wife Maxine, and Ralph Fichter; half-brothers, Albert Fichter, Jay Fichter, Frank Fichter; and half-sister Edna Spence.

Dorothy is survived by her son Harold "Hal" Slaughter and wife Mary of Prescott, AZ; grandson Logan Slaughter of New York, NY; Larry's children, Michael, Kathy, and Roxann of Arkansas; Ann Marie's daughter Barbara; seven great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

A memorial fund has been established.

Interment in Fairview Pioneer Cemetery.

Loess Hills Funeral Home of Carson in charge of arrangements.