Reta S. Dohrer "Mimi"

Reta Mae (Smith) (Swanson) Dohrer went to be with the Lord early Sunday morning, March 8, 2026, following a brief illness. She was 95 years old.

Reta was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the youngest of three girls. She graduated from Tulsa Central High School where she was an active member of Rajah, Breezers, and Eclat social clubs. She went on to attend the University of Oklahoma where she pledged Tri Delta Sorority and majored in journalism. She transferred to the University of Tulsa during her Sophomore year to be closer to family. There, she authored her own column in the campus newspaper, “The Collegiate”. She named the column, “Reta’s Digest”, a reflection of her delightful sense of humor.

On January 26, 1952, she married Arthur John Swanson, her college sweetheart whom she met on a blind date when she was at OU and dated for four years. After being baptized at McFarlin Methodist Church in Norman, she was married at Wheeling Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa. Reta and Art made their home in Oklahoma City and raised five children - Mike, Karen, Art, Rick, and John. Reta was an active member of Nichols Hills United Methodist Church for over fifty years, where all five children were baptized. Later in life after her husband Art died, she joined Chapel Hills United Methodist Church.

Reta loved people and remained an active Tri Delt throughout most of her adult life, serving as Oklahoma City Alumnae President in 1973. In that role, she made sure there was entertainment at every meeting, which was a first! Reta was also an avid bridge player and was active in several different bridge clubs, as well as a book club. One of her favorite hobbies was knitting, and she especially enjoyed knitting sweaters and neck scarves for family members. In later years, she loved knitting baby hats for the newborns at nearby Mercy Hospital. A consummate hostess, Reta loved to cook and entertain, frequently hosting luncheons and dinner parties at her always beautifully decorated dining room table. However, hosting family events was her very favorite, and she especially cherished time with her granddaughters, Amanda and Melissa, and her great grandsons, Wyatt and Memphis (Melissa’s sons).

Reta absolutely loved meeting new people and making friends along the way. Her family often joked that she didn’t know a stranger; they were just new friends she had yet to meet and get to know! Her passion for helping people led her to become a Stephen Minister. It was an important and meaningful way she chose to serve others in need, and reflected Reta’s deep faith, which guided, comforted, and strengthened her throughout her life.

In 1991, Reta met widower, Don Dohrer, at a Phillips Petroleum bridge party. They married in 1992 and for twelve years they enjoyed traveling, bridge, dinner parties, and time with family, before Don died of cancer. Reta continued to enjoy her relationship with Don’s adult children, Dennis (and wife Anne), Deanna (and husband Bobby), and Doug (and wife Maureen Fitzgerald), as well as their children and grandchildren, and was especially grateful for their continued presence in her life.

Reta’s physical resiliency was evident later in her 80’s when she overcame two full knee replacements, breast cancer, and multiple bouts of oral cancer. When the oral cancer reoccurred in 2024, she chose to move to Dallas to be closer to her medical team at UT Southwestern, and where she had more family nearby. After two major surgeries followed by radiation at 94 years of age, she was finally “cancer free”. Deeply grateful for this healing, she would jokingly say it was because she was “a tough ole boot!”

Reflecting her resilient spirit, she chose to relocate to a lovely apartment in Edgemere’s Independent Living facility where she quickly became a beloved member of that community. She adored her neighbors, the staff, her friends in the “Knit Wits” group, and especially the small church she attended in the Plaza at Edgemere, led by Pastor Tom Anthony. During her final days on earth, Reta was blessed to have several wonderful caregivers. It is a tribute to her huge heart and deep love for everyone whom God has brought into her life, that she leaves behind so many beloved friends and family.

Reta is survived by her four children, Karen (Swanson) Montgomery of Dallas, Texas, Art Swanson (and wife Carolyn) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Rick Swanson (and wife Jamie) of Argyle, Texas, John Swanson of Oklahoma City, and grandchildren, Josh Swanson of Austin, Texas, Amanda Montgomery (and wife Kelly Homan) of San Rafael, California, and Melissa James (and husband Matt Stammel) of Dallas, Texas. Reta is also survived by several great grandchildren including, Wyatt James, Memphis James, Emma Swanson, Tyler Swanson, Peyton Ridener, Skylar Ridener, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her oldest son Mike in 1986, her husband Art in 1988, her second husband Don in 2004, and her granddaughter Lauren Ridener (Mike’s daughter) in 2015.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 12, 2026, at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas. A reception will follow the service.  

Reta will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma alongside her husband Art and her son, Mike.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.