Dorothy E. Gildenhar

D o r o t h y Ellen Gildenhar, 86, passed away Feb. 9, 2007, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette. She had been a resident at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Delphi for four years.

Mrs. Gildenhar was born Sept. 6, 1920, to Albert and Mary MacNamara Braeuer in Fort Wayne. She married William "Bill" H. Slagle on Dec. 7, 1946, at Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. He preceded her in death in 1966.

She graduated from Elmhurst High School, attended Manchester College, and was among the first to be a female stewardess for TWA Airlines.

Mrs. Gildenhar and her family moved to Richmond in 1960. After the passing of Mr. Slagle, she continued to work there as an administrative assistant at a CPA firm. She then married Ralph Gildenhar of Richmond, and he preceded her in death in 1987.

After retirement, Mrs. Gildenhar spent many volunteer hours at the First English Lutheran Church in Richmond, where she was a member. In 1997, she moved to Delphi to be closer to her family and spend more time with her grandchildren.

Throughout her life she was an accomplished seamstress, who enjoyed making clothing and quilts. She also enjoyed needlepoint and cross-stitch. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Surviving are two daughters, Suzette Pfeifer (husband: Ron) of Green Bay, Wis., and Fran Lacy (husband: Terry) of Delphi; a sister, Margaret Gronau (husband: Fred) of Noblesville; and three grandchildren, Cooper and Claire Lacy of Delphi and Jay Pfeifer of Charlotte, N.C.

Her brother, Tom Braeuer (wife: Phoebe) of Phoenix, Ariz., preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center Chapel in Delphi. Pastor Nord Zootman will officiate. Abbott Funeral Home in Delphi is in charge of arrangements.