On January 23, 2021, Dorothy Mae Nimmer (age 91) was called to her eternal resting place in Heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dorothy, a daughter of Walter and Sophia (Much) Spiegelberg, was born at home on May 19, 1929, (a Pentecost Sunday). She grew up on her parent’s farm and attended 1st thru 8th Grade in a one-room school just outside of Butte des Morts, WI. Ms. Lola Hubbard was Dorothy’s teacher for all 8 years. She next attended High School in Winneconne, graduating in 1947 as Valedictorian and Class President. Rather than accept a scholarship to Whitewater, Dorothy enrolled in the Oshkosh Business College (OBC) to stay closer to home. After her first term at OBC, Dorothy took a full-time job working for the Winnebago County Treasurer.

Dorothy married Herman “Bud” Nimmer on June 19, 1948. They jointly operated a farm on Highway M just outside of Winneconne prior to moving into their village home on the Wolf River in 1952. In addition to being a great mother and homemaker, Dorothy found part-time work at the Winneconne Canning Factory and she wrote local news articles for the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. In 1957 she began a 36-year employment career with the Village of Winneconne, initially part-time as the first Planning Commission Secretary. In 1966, Dorothy transitioned to full-time when first appointed Village Treasurer. Over the ensuing years, she had the responsibilities of Village Clerk, Assessor, Utility Secretary, and Relief Commissioner added to her elected positions. Dorothy retired from her Village employment in 1993. Dorothy was “State Treasurer” of the “Sovereign State of Winneconne” in 1967.

Dorothy was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winneconne and active in its Women’s Guild. She believed in serving her community. After retirement, Dorothy was elected to 3 consecutive terms as a Village Board Trustee. She was very active in numerous local organizations, including the American Legion Auxiliary, Kiwanis (Charter Member), and the Winneconne Historical Society. She was routinely working on Kiwanis fund raisers including bike hikes, blood drives, fishing tournaments, and the Kiwanis brat stand, in addition to calling bingo at the Legion Club House. Dorothy served on the Winnefox Library System Board of Trustees for 6 years and was a member of the Winneconne Beautification Committee. She had a love for gardening and spent countless hours planting, watering, and caring for flowers at St. Paul’s Church, the Historical Society Museum grounds, Legion Clubhouse, Civic Center, and the Main St. Planters. One of Dorothy’s largest projects was spearheading the relocation and restoration of the “Steamboat House” for the Winneconne Historical Society Museum. Dorothy was recognized for her leadership and service with a 4th of July Fireworks Dedication (1993), as Winneconne Sovereign State Grand Parade Marshall (2001), and with a “Dorothy Nimmer Day” community celebration (2011).

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, in-laws, Clarence and Velma Nimmer; her brother and sister-in-law, Wally and Evelyn Spiegelberg; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Dorothy is survived by her 3 children, Steve (Paula) Nimmer (Oshkosh), Peter (Carrie) Nimmer (Phoenix, AZ), and Ann Nimmer (Fairfax, VA); 4 grandchildren - Leah (Derek) Schneider, Lacey (Dan) Oldenburg, Scott Nimmer, and Max Nimmer; 5 great-grandchildren - Ben, Ty, and Drew Schneider, Kaitlyn and Brady Oldenburg; and 1 nephew - Robert (Janet) Spiegelberg.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, 8 S. 4th Street, Winneconne. A Christian funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor Mark Albrecht officiating. If you plan to attend the visitation or service, because of COVID spread concerns, face masks should be worn, safe distancing practiced, and handshakes and hugs avoided. Burial will follow in the Winneconne Cemetery. Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to either St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church or the Winneconne Historical Society.

If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.