Dorothy Ann Schirmang

Dorothy Ann Schirmang took her first breath in Heaven Sunday night, May 30, 2021. Dorothy was the youngest of three born to Edward and Iva (Loomis) Schmeltzer, Reedsburg, WI, on December 4, 1927. By the age of twelve, Dorothy had accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and followed Him in baptism. The family was active in the First Baptist Church where she later married Orville John Schirmang. The couple lived in Baraboo, WI, briefly and then moved to Harvard, Illinois, where she helped John who managed a dry goods store. Among other duties, Dorothy would decorate the large sugar panoramic Easter eggs. While living there Sandra Ann was born. The family then moved to Clear Lake, WI, and later New Richmond, WI, where Dorothy continued to assist John in the dry goods business and where they welcomed Nancy Jean and later Karen Sue into their home. They were active in the First Baptist Church in New Richmond where Dorothy loved to minister in Sunday School and choir, including singing solos and in small groups; she had a beautiful alto voice. They had many special friends in that church which endure to this day. Get-togethers always included much laughter, food, occasional pranks, water skiing, and many hands of Rook. Dorothy also had the special privilege of leading Sandra and Nancy to the Lord as they sat at her knee one evening at bedtime devotions. The young family moved on to Austin, MN, where the girls completed their education through high school, while John managed a Montgomery Wards outlet store and then became a salesman for Hill Heating and Cooling. Dorothy again ministered in music at the Baptist church while the girls were involved in youth groups and camp. There was quite a Scripture memorization program there to help give discounts to Bible Camp, and Dorothy helped her girls memorize many verses which are basic to the Christian's life. Dorothy also helped with public school eye screenings several years. She became a dear friend to many, and they in turn supported her in countless ways when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, of which the Lord graciously healed her in the early 1970's. A move to Edina, MN, in the late 1970's saw many changes as Dorothy and John became empty-nesters, and John took a new job as a city building inspector and Dorothy started managing condominiums there, and several years later in Plymouth, MN for a short time. During this time, Dorothy was diagnosed with endocarditis just as she and John were packing for a trip with friends to Hawaii. Instead her vacation was spent in the hospital for about 6 weeks hooked up to two different antibiotics, from which she suffered aftereffects for some time. She was told a damaged heart valve would wear out within five years and would need to be replaced. It just recently wore out and she chose not to have it replaced. As members of Wooddale Church, John became Head Usher for several years and Dorothy was involved with the Women's ministry and Bible studies. Dorothy's life saw a very abrupt change with the sudden passing of John in August of 1995. Karen, who had temporarily moved in with them at the time, continued to live with her mother for the next 22 years. They were like two peas in a pod, and enjoyed some travelling, eating out, and playing games. When Dorothy took a horrible fall, hitting her head in about 2012, Karen quit work to stay home and rehab her mother who literally could not feed herself or carry on a conversation. She slept most of the time while her brain healed. In about 2013 Dorothy was diagnosed with lung cancer, and actually didn't remember that diagnosis for the next 8 years, so she wasn't worried about it either. When in 2017 Karen passed six weeks after a cancer diagnosis of her own, Dorothy was devastated and not able to live on her own, she moved into Assisted Living. Her deep faith, prayer life and daily reading of the Bible sustained her until the Lord called her Home. We can only imagine the wonderful reunion with her Lord, and the love of her life, John, along with their caring daughter Karen. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Iva Schmeltzer, her brother William Schmeltzer, her sister Eleanor Schmeltzer, and her daughter Karen Sue Schirmang. She is survived by her daughters Sandra (Jawad) Nunes of Burlington, WI, and Nancy (Don) Fincham of Marysville, KS, along with 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren with another expected this fall.

Tributes

Dorothy Ann Schirmang

December 4, 1927 - May 30, 2021

Tributes

Dorothy Ann Schirmang

December 4, 1927 - May 30, 2021

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