Dorothy Jane Bergdoll Custer, age 84, of Brookdale Assisted Living in Hartwell, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at Hartwell Health & Rehabilitation.

She was born January 21, 1939 in Muncie, IN, the daughter of the late Raymond and Charlotte Harwick Bergdoll. After marriage, to Robert "Bob" Edwin Custer, she resided in Anderson, IN until 1987, when they relocated to Canyon City, CO, where they lived until they moved, in 2021, to Hartwell, to be near family.  While in Colorado, she and Robert traveled extensively, but her favorite trip was always back home to Indiana.

A devoted mother and friend, Dorothy shared her time and talents with others.  While her daughters were young, she sewed, including being a "band mom", and supported her girls' activities.  She took up oil painting when her oldest went to college and continued to so into her seventies.  A woman of faith, Dorothy, attended church all of her life and instilled a faith life in her daughters.

She is survived by her husband: Robert "Bob" Custer of Royston; children:  Deborah (James) Brown of Fair Play, SC and Susan (Mark) Allison of Mooresville, IN; grandchildren:  Kyra Allison and Sam Allison; Bonus Grandchildren:  Marty Brown and Erica (Joshua) Alexander; and Bonus Great Grands:  County Jeans, Cole Jeans, Mara Alexander. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Sarah Grace Allison.

Dorothy was cremated in accordance with her request. The family will gather privately to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) or to Amedisys hospice, 53 Rock Road, Toccoa, GA 30577.

Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest register please visit stricklandfh.com.