Dorothy June Gallagher

into eternity with Jesus, joining her beloved husband, siblings, and parents, who had preceded

her in death.

Dorothy was born the fourth of ten siblings, March 15, 1927, in Reedley, California, to Henry and

Marie Siemens. The majority of her childhood years were spent in Northern California in the

community of Capay. Dorothy spoke of working in the prune orchards, how excited she was to

finally be old enough to go to school, and learning to write and read German at a young age, so

she could write letters to her grandparents. She had fond memories of picnics, bicycling, and

swimming in the Sacramento River. With brothers and sisters, extended family nearby, and

grandparents coming for long visits, she was always surrounded with family. Faith in God was

the foundation of the Siemens family, and the Mennonite Brethren Church just down the road

from their home in Capay was central to their lives, and where Dorothy would recite her Bible

verses in German.

After high school, Dorothy went to Biola College, then located in downtown Los Angeles, where

she enjoyed singing in the “Grace Notes” trio, and where, as an incoming freshman she met a

tall, handsome college senior named Sam Gallagher. Two years later they were married in the

Mennonite Brethren Church in Capay, and committed to a life of serving the Lord together.

Sam and Dorothy joyfully welcomed their daughter Sharon to the family on June 21, 1948, and

she became a great little traveler, as Sam conducted evangelistic meetings in many different

churches. Within a year of Sharon’s birth, Sam began showing symptoms of what would

eventually lead to a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. He would preach from a wheelchair for 54

of their 58 years of marriage and ministry together. Dorothy faithfully and lovingly cared for her

husband, and fruitful ministry followed, as Dorothy learned to drive, and drove Sam to preach at

churches and assemblies all over Southern California. Their home was continually open for

men’s and women’s Bible studies, and children’s clubs. Only eternity will tell the number of

souls that were saved, lives that were touched, and meals that were served in generous

hospitality in Sam and Dorothy’s home. Family was continually welcomed with open hearts and

open arms, and many memories were made as family gathered and holidays were celebrated.

Sharon relished time spent with her cousins.

The Red Bluff Siemens family were excited to welcome Sam and Dorothy to Red Bluff in 2004.

Family and friends continued to be warmly embraced and well-loved, and family Christmas

parties at Dorothy’s became a tradition. The Lord called Sam home just a year after their move,

but Dorothy’s faithful life of ministry continued, with ladies Bible studies, correcting Bible

correspondence courses for prisoners, children’s work, and countless conversations and times

of prayer around her kitchen table.

Sharon moved to Red Bluff in March of 2020, and she was the joy of Dorothy’s life, as they

shared the rhythms of daily life together. They spent many hours, talking, singing, and praying

together, and recounting family stories.

The last living sibling of her strong family, Dorothy was our matriarch. She lavishly poured out

her love on her many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces

and nephews. Many family memories were made with Dorothy’s planning, and many lives were

changed by her love, her prayers, and her guidance.

And so, we bless her and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your

Lord.”