Obit: Niggemann, Donaldean Pearl (1927 - 2012)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bucher, Gavas, Hochstetler, Howlett, Mathews, Nelson, Neumann, Niggemann, Priniski, Quinn, Silvester, Thomas, Trepanier, VanKleek

----Source: The Hemer Funeral Home (Medford and Rib Lake, WI) 10/20/2012

Niggemann, Donaldean Pearl (Trepanier) (13 DEC 1927 - 13 OCT 2012)

Donaldean Pearl Niggemann, age 84, a former Town of Westboro Resident, passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at the Pine Ridge Assisted Living, Wisconsin Rapids where she had resided for the past 1½ years. Dean was surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice.

The funeral mass will take place at11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 20 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Rib Lake, WI, with Father Otto Bucher and Deacon Mark Priniski officiating. Interment will take place at St. Ann’s Cemetery in the Town of Greenwood, Taylor County, WI.

Pallbearers will be her sons and son-in-laws: Douglas, Mark, James and Regis Niggemann II, Martin Silvester, William Howlett, George Gavas, Timothy Thomas, Steven Mathews, Bruce Neumann and Richard Quinn.

Visitation will be at 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. October 19 at the Good Shepherd Church, Rib Lake, WI where there will be a 7:00 P.M. Parish Rosary Service, and also from 10:00 A.M. until mass at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 20 at the church.

Donaldean was born on December 13, 1927, in Westboro, to Donald J. and Marcella (Hochstetler) Trepanier. She attended Westboro Grade School and was a 1945 Graduate of Westboro High School.

On June 1, 1946, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Rib Lake, Donaldean married Regis Conrad Niggemann. Regis preceded her in death on January 30, 1988.

They raised their 13 children on a family dairy farm in Westboro, WI. Throughout her life she was employed by several local establishments finding her true calling when she joined Hope Hospice, under the directorship of Barb Meyer. Dean enjoyed 15 years of devoted service to Hospice retiring at the age of 73.

She was an accomplished seamstress. Dean lovingly created many gorgeous ensembles for her family, most notably designing and stitching wedding gowns and other elegant attire, traveling as far as Lake Tahoe, Nevada and Cape Town, South Africa to complete her beautiful creations. She was the Lucky Lakers 4-H sewing leader for 30 years teaching several generations of children the art of sewing.

She enjoyed many keen interests; patchwork quilting, knitting, embroidery, and rosemaling, to name a few. She was a very skilled baker and candy maker. For many years her children’s’ teachers looked forward to their Christmas gift box of homemade candy.

She was a world traveler. Her bags were always half packed and ready to leave at a moment’s notice, especially to visit her many children and grandchildren, taking their poker money, and leaving them with full hearts and many fond memories. A mean wordsmith, she was never far from a crossword puzzle or Scrabble board. When younger she was an avid huntress enjoying walking through the woods, tracking deer and demonstrating her fine marksmanship.

Donaldean was a generous, kind, loving woman who deeply cared for her beloved children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and neighbors. She was her family’s first and finest teacher; teaching life’s many lessons from the beginning of our life until the end of hers.

She was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake, WI for her entire life. She was active in the Christian Mothers Organization and a participant in numerous ministries.

Donaldean is survived by her children, Douglas of Wauconda, IL; Bruce (Lynn) of West Dundee, IL; Mark (Katharine) of Johnsburg, IL; Paul (Linda ) of Murfreesboro, TN; James (Conni) of Elgin, IL; Regis (Ane) Niggemann II of Milwaukie, OR; Ramona (Martin) Silvester of Crystal Lake, IL; Barbara (William) Howlett of Jonesboro, GA; Beth (Timothy) Thomas of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Lorie (Bruce) Neumann of McFarland, WI; Cynthia (Steven) Mathews of Gardnerville, NV; and Debra (Richard) Quinn of St. Charles, IL; 29 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

She is further survived by a son-in-law, George Gavas of Wauconda, IL; siblings Richard Arlen (Marie) Trepanier of Lombard, IL; and Mari Louise VanKleek of Rosemont, MN.

Donaldean is predeceased by her husband Regis; parents, Donald J. and Marcella (Hochstetler), Trepanier; sibling Neil Trepanier; daughter Cheryl Gavas; daughter -in-law Gayle (Nelson) Niggemann.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations payable to Hope Hospice.

Hemer Funeral Homes of Rib Lake and Medford is assisting the family with arrangements.

For online condolences, please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com.