Dorothy J. Oliver, 85, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025, peacefully at her home in Smith Center, KS.

Dorothy was born on March 8, 1940, in Murdock, KS, the daughter of Fred and Edna Mae (Bittner) Ravenstein.  Dorothy graduated from Kingman High School, class of 1958.  Dorothy married Neil Oliver on October 10, 1958, at Trinity Evangelical and Reform Church, Cheney, KS, to this union they were blessed with four children, Sandie, Dean, Lee, and Rex.  They lived in rural Murdock, KS, until 1965 when the Cheney Reservoir was being built for a water supply for the city of Wichita, KS, forcing them to relocate their farm to rural Downs, KS.  Dorothy and Neil divorced in January 1972. 

She worked at Barnett Company, in Cawker City, KS, as a seamstress for three years while she also managed the VFW in Smith Center.  She and the children eventually moved to Smith Center where she met Roy Widener.  They spent many years together, and were constant companions working on their farm and even traveled to Hawaii where they enjoyed the vacation of a lifetime.  Dorothy worked at Smith County Memorial Hospital – Long Term Care in housekeeping for 24 years, retiring December 1, 2011.  After retirement she started cleaning homes for many elderly people around Smith Center.  At the same time, she also worked part-time at Cole’s Machine and Auto Supply at the part sales counter along with accounting.

Dorothy always had a love for sewing, which through the years grew stronger.  She purchased a small cabin, turning it into a quilting she shed.  She then purchased a long arm quilter, and that’s when the quilting magic exploded.  She not only made beautiful quilts for her family but started quilting for others as well.  She loved it so much that it became her lifetime passion even becoming a business where she made many friendships along the way.  Dorothy also did many sewing repairs to the US Flags for the VFW.  Her experience and giving heart led to many baby quilts that she donated to the hospital.  Dorothy’s work can be found throughout multiple states.

Besides sewing, Dorothy enjoyed gardening and flowers, acrylic painting, going to the casino, having a toddy with her VFW friends and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 1141, and Prairie Treasures Quilt Guild both of Smith Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents, companion Roy E. Widener, daughter-in-law Yvonne Oliver, son-in-law Randy Ebling, 3 brothers, Wayne, Roy and Kenneth Ravenstein and a sister Ellen Warner.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Sandie Ebling of Wichita; 3 sons, Dean (Nancy) Oliver of Osborne, Lee Oliver of Smith Center, Rex (Sandy) Oliver of Burr Oak; a daughter-in-law Traci Oliver of Smith Center; step-daughter Denise (Darwin) Carswell of Alton; step-son Rocky (Jessica) Widener of Alton; step-daughter Melodie Moore of Des Moines, IA; a brother Donald Ravenstein of Ellinwood; 16 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren with one on the way and 1 great-great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Ann Auten presiding.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel.  Burial will take place in Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS.  Memorials may be given to the VFW Auxiliary Post 1141 and/or NW Kansas Hospice Services and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.