Elaine Joyce Dobbin

Elaine Joyce Dobbin, 92, a resident of the Hillsboro, Oregon community passed away on  May 13, 2019 in her home.
Elaine was born on September 29, 1926 in Mountaindale, OR.  She was the only child born to Ernest and Elsie (Reiser) Schlaefli.  When Elaine was a young girl her father was killed in a lumber mill accident.  Her mother remarried Bert Walter and together they raised Elaine and her two half siblings, Jean Larson, deceased, and Donald Walter in North Plains. She attended Hillsboro High School and graduated with the Class of 1944.
Elaine began working once she graduated. She met her future husband, Vincent Dobbin, through Vincent's sister, Loraine. They courted for one year and married on March 27, 1946 in Hillsboro. Following their marriage they moved to the Dobbin family farm in Hillsboro. She was a loving and devoted mother to her family, and her husband's partner in their large family farming operation.
Elaine was also a talented musician, and took some college courses at Lewis & Clark College and Pacific University. She used these talents to teach piano, accordion and organ to a whole generation of budding musicians in and around Hillsboro.
She shared her passion for worship music at Trinity Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, Oregon.   She directed Senior and Junior choirs as well as played organ and piano.
Elaine also accompanied many students for various competitions as well as big band music. She enjoyed family gatherings. Vincent and Elaine also served their Lord by building a gymnasium and musical room at Forest Hills Lutheran Christian School, adding a family life building at Zion Lutheran Church, and purchasing a fire truck and engine for Washington County Fire District 2.  Their travel highlights included the Holy Land, Australia, Hawaii and genealogy searches.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband Vincent, her parents, and half-sister Jean.
She is survived by her half-brother Donald Walter, sister-in-law Loraine Donnelly, two sons and their spouses, Ken Dobbin (Nancy Petrowicz)of West Richland, Washington, Ron Dobbin (Kelly) of Hillsboro, Oregon, four grandchildren, Kathleen Brown(Adrian), Matthew Dobbin, Elizabeth Dobbin, Dean Petersen(fiancé Rosa Lopez Lobaton), and one great-grandson, Isaiah Petersen.
Following the service there will be a light lunch and fellowship.We celebrate the life of one of God's faithful servants who confidently placed her trust in Jesus as the only way to heaven.Elaine now joins the saints in heaven, having received the crown of victory promised to all those who place their trust in God alone for their eternal life.
In lieu of flowers,remembrances may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, Forest Hills Lutheran Christian School, or the Portland Swiss Society.

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