Dorothy Toepfer
Dorothy Louise Toepfer was born Oct. 19, 1937, to Ellena Evelyn (Andrews) and William Thomas Mast in Arkansas City, Kan. She passed away March 23, 2022.
Dorothy fell in love and married Paul Amos Toepfer on Oct. 30, 1955, in Arkansas City after attending Cowley County Junior College.
She was preceded in death by her first son, Kenneth Lee Toepfer, at four months, her parents, brother Billy Mast and sister Betty Gober.
She (“Mom” or “Grandma Dot”) always made time to spend 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 son Dustin Hall; Wade and Lisa Toepfer with Ashley and Marlon Dominique, Payton and Ethan Farrar and Kristen Toepfer and fiancé Jacob Johnson.
Added blessings were each of the 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She loved her nieces and nephews and their families.
From an early age, Dorothy loved animals, particularly horses (paints to be exact).
This tomboy felt the most at home in the great outdoors, helping her father milk cows, riding a motorcycle, watching a ballgame, helping grandchildren ride a horse, working in the yard, enjoying family cookouts/ice cream socials or relaxing in the mountains.
Dorothy was always willing to try anything as long as it didn’t have anything to do with water. Her talents and skills were many including playing the piano, painting, sewing, crocheting and anything else she wanted to try.
She was a different type of mom than most. She loved but did not coddle, she taught and expected much, she strictly disciplined while explaining the shortfalls, she supported but did not excuse or defend bad behavior, chores were not genderized as everyone learned everything and was expected to contribute to the family household.
She instilled in her children that they could accomplish whatever they wanted in life if they extended the effort.
She was everlastingly consistent as the example of a follower of Jesus in everything.
She never seemed to mind when Paul would come home and say “pack up we are going on a little trip.” In fact, she thrived on the excitement of going; she enjoyed traveling and visiting loved ones.
During the young years into high school age of her children, she built an upholstery business at home in the garage, making tattered furniture brand new.
Her perfectionist quality was especially evident in her work, many times forcing her to redo something that was not up to her standards.
She continued this work in Fowler, Colo., while adding on becoming a pastor’s wife and pianist, which is no small task in a little church.
In Petersburg, Texas, she added on working as a bookkeeper for a cotton gin, then a trucking company.
Later she and Paul each drove one of the two semi-trailer trucks they owned, taking her to Pennsylvania with her beloved canine traveling companion, Maggie.
Her final career was a U.S. Postal Service carrier in Enid for over 25 years before retirement at age 75.
Dorothy lived a full colorful life with a number of careers, always a pure example of a lady in actions, language, morals and spirit. Her humble quiet soul fronted the fierce spirit in her heart which defends her loved ones to the end.
A celebration funeral service was held March 28 at Kingfisher Church of the Nazarene.
Burial followed at Kingfisher Cemetery.
Charitable gifts honoring Dorothy Toepfer are suggested to be directed to Dean McGee Eye Institute-Patient Financial Assistance Program, 608 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73104.