Dorothy Groefsema

Dorothy Groefsema, 84, of Mountain Home, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at home, of natural causes.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Christian and Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Dorothy was born Jan. 8, 1929, in Boise, to Art and Elsie Martha (Roberson) Neal. She was raised in Mountain City, Nev., and Nevada City, Calif., where her mother was a cook in the mining camps. Her mother was a colorful character and a bootlegger during Prohibition. Dorothy liked to say she was raised in mining tents and behind the bar.

Dorothy was an athlete (basketball) and a scholar. She was a proud member of the Mountain Home graduating class of 1947.

Dorothy married Ralph Groefsema on Valentine's Day 1949. She picked that date so he would remember their anniversary. They were married for 64 years and Dorothy considered Ralph her soulmate. From that union came three children, Gary, Gail and Jana.

She worked at the Elmore County Courthouse in the assessor's office before going to work for Amalgamated Sugar in Mountain Home and Nampa.

Dorothy supported Ralph in all his agricultural endeavors: farming, Clover Hollow Dairy and Mountain Homespun Acres, with his prize-winning sheep.

Dorothy was musical, having a beautiful voice and playing the harmonica and the cornet.

She was very creative in crafting and sewing.

Dorothy loved to decorate and dress dolls and cartoon character dolls for the holidays.

She was an active member of the Christian and Baptist Church and the Mariposa Grange.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Ralph, son Gary (Robin) Groefsema, daughters Gail and Jana Groefsema, granddaughter Andee (Ray) Helms, great-grandsons William and Thomas Helms and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by both her parents.