Dorothy Louise Toepfer was born on October 19, 1937 to Ellena Evelyn (Andrews) and William Thomas Mast in Arkansas City, Kan. She died on March 23, 2022.

Dorothy fell in love and married Paul Amos Toepfer on October 30, 1955 in Arkansas City after attending Cowley County Junior College.

She was predeceased by her first son, Kenneth Lee Toepfer, at four months old, her parents, brother Billy Mast and sister Betty Gober.

She (“Mom” or “Grandma Dot”) has always spent time with her two sons and daughter and their families: Tim and Tammy Toepfer with children Zach and Lacy Toepfer, Logan and Jeanne Toepfer, and Jordan and Zac Smith , Ashley and Sam Coffey, Rebecca and David Inkanish; Karen and Brent Hall with their son Dustin Hall; Wade and Lisa Toepfer with Ashley and Marlon Dominique, Payton and Ethan Farrar and Kristen Toepfer and her fiancé Jacob Johnson.

Additional blessings were each of 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She loved her nephews and nieces and their families.

From an early age, Dorothy loved animals, especially horses (paintings to be exact).

This tomboy felt most at home outdoors, helping his dad milk the cows, ride a motorcycle, watch a football game, help his grandkids ride horses, work in the backyard, enjoying family meals/ice cream parties or relaxing in the mountains.

Dorothy was always willing to try anything as long as it had nothing to do with water. Her talents and skills were many, including playing the piano, painting, sewing, crocheting, and whatever else she wanted to try.

She was a different type of mother than most. She loved but did not pamper, she taught and expected a lot, she strictly disciplined while explaining shortcomings, she supported but did not excuse or defend bad behavior, tasks were not gendered as everyone learned everything and had to contribute to the family household.

She instilled in her children that they could achieve anything they wanted in life if they put in the effort.

She was eternally consistent as an example of a follower of Jesus in everything.

She never seemed to care when Paul came home and said “pack your bags, we’re going on a little trip”. In fact, she thrived on the excitement of going there; she loved to travel and visit her relatives.

During her children’s early years through high school, she set up a home upholstery business out of the garage, making tattered furniture look new.

Her perfectionist quality was particularly evident in her work, repeatedly forcing her to redo something that was not up to her standards.

She continued this work in Fowler, Colorado, while becoming the wife of a pastor and pianist, which is no small task in a small church.

In Petersburg, Texas, she worked as an accountant for a cotton gin, then a trucking company.

Later, she and Paul each drove one of two tractor-trailer trucks they owned, taking him to Pennsylvania with his beloved canine travel companion, Maggie.

His final career was a US Postal Service carrier in Enid for over 25 years before retiring at age 75.

Dorothy lived a colorful life with a number of careers, always a pure example of a woman in actions, language, morals and spirit. Her humble and quiet soul faced the fierce spirit of her heart that defends her loved ones to the end.

A celebratory funeral service was held March 28 at the Kingfisher Church of the Nazarene.

Interment followed at Kingfisher Cemetery.

It is suggested that charitable donations honoring Dorothy Toepfer be directed to the Dean McGee Eye Institute Patient Financial Assistance Program, 608 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73104.