Dorothy J. Slickers, 97, of Sheridan, WY, passed away on October 5, 2015, at Sheridan Manor.
Dorothy Jane Van Roekel was born on February 23, 1918, to Aart and Nellie (Visser) Van Roekel in Pella, Iowa, one of 9 children. She was raised in Pella, Iowa, and was proud of her Dutch heritage, getting involved in the Pella Tulip Festival from a young age. She met the love of her life, William (Bill Slickers) in Pella where they were both attending Central College. They were married on April 5, 1943, in Norfolk, VA, where Bill was stationed. While Bill was employed with the Veteran’s Administration, they moved several times, having 3 children along the way. Diana Lou was born in Bainbridge, MD, James William in Deadwood, SD, and Ky Wade in Deadwood, SD.
They lived in many places, and moved to Sheridan in 1960. After Bill retired, they spent winters in Arizona and finally moved to Casa Grande, AZ, where they lived happily for many years. Dorothy enjoyed her trips to the casino and her card playing at the clubhouse. She was an avid bridge player, playing well into her 90’s, and was busy the rest of the week at the clubhouse organizing and playing other card games with friends. In 2013, after having a major health setback, she moved to Sheridan, WY, to be closer to her daughter.
Dorothy enjoyed sewing, playing cards, trips to the casino, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in 1994, and her parents and all of her siblings.
Survivors include her children, Diana (Dale) Heath, Sheridan, WY; James (Diane) Slickers, Minot, ND; and Ky (Susan) Slickers, Sun City West, AZ. She also has 7 grandchildren: Lisa (Zane) Heath Garstad , Kelly (Cami) Heath of Windsor, CO; Brett (Beth) Slickers of Stafford, Virginia; James Slickers of Halsted, KS; Heather Slickers of Winthrop, MN; Christine ( Chris) Slickers Enge of Hesston, Kansas; and Melanie Slickers of Alburqurque, NM; 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.