Dorothy Wimmer

Dorothy Wimmer lived a full life of 90 years with abundant love and generosity. It is with great sadness we have to say goodbye to her, but it helps to know that she has found eternal peace with her Lord and Savior in Heaven. Dorothy was a friend to many and loved by all. Her legacy will continue to inspire each and every one of us.

With the war far behind, America celebrated life with great exuberance. The 1920’s decade, known as “The Roaring Twenties,” was a time of amazing technical advances in a setting with wonderful entertainment. Charles Lindbergh miraculously spent a little over 33 hours flying in the air across the Atlantic, marking the first to ever do such a wonder! Movie goers used to silence while enjoying a film now had the ability to actually hear soundtrack with the movie “The Jazz Singer.” While President Calvin Coolidge marveled at the beginning of Mount Rushmore - a carved granite sculpture honoring other presidents in American history. This was an exciting time for sure, but extraordinarily so for Stanley and Linda (Lindblom) McCormick who were expecting a precious baby girl. Her parents and older sister, Jean, welcomed Dorothy on March 14, 1927 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Dorothy was raised in a house on Coit Avenue and actually lived in this very house for the better part of her life. The family enjoyed many days together, and her parents saw to it that the girls were raised with a strong Christian foundation. They attended Berean Baptist Church faithfully and enjoyed spiritual devotions together. Dorothy attended Creston High School where she made many friends and good memories. After school she began work as an administrative secretary at Grand Rapids Metalcraft.

It must have been fate that placed her in the secretarial position, or maybe it was just luck - but it was there that she met the man with whom she would share the rest of her life. Richard Wimmer won her heart while the two were earning a living, and appropriately, their first date was supplied by a company picnic. It was obvious that they shared an everlasting love from the start. The happy couple eventually married on January 29, 1955. As newlyweds, they explored the windy city of Chicago for their honeymoon and enjoyed the sights and sounds as the title of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wimmer became a reality.

Upon their return from the honeymoon, they settled back into the city of Grand Rapids with a farmhouse on Knapp NE. Not long after, Dorothy’s father passed away, so she and Richard moved back to her childhood home to help take care of her mother and sister. This did not stop the happy couple from living a full life, as they both were very active in their faith as members of First United Methodist Church. Dorothy also enjoyed traveling, and Richard would stay behind to care for her sister while Dorothy went on various adventures. These trips were necessary for Dorothy because she loved people and being social; she loved to talk and always had a good story to share.

Another way Dorothy was able to stay socially active was her volunteer time spent at the church. Her church family was extremely important to her, and spending time there provided her great joy. When she was not helping where needed at church, she and Richard would often go fishing together; however, Dorothy did not do much fishing. She left the worms and slime to Richard, and instead she would sit on the boat and read a book - holding the net when a fish pulled his line. It was not the activities they shared, it was the comfort and enjoyment of being with one another that mattered to them most.

The Wimmers were very generous with both their time and their money. They lived a comfortable life together, and maybe on a stricter budget than necessary, but this allowed them to help others if a need arose. As the two grew older together, Richard became ill, and this broke Dorothy’s heart. She loved and doted on her beloved husband for all his days spent with her and felt quite lost when he finally passed away in December of 2013. With the support of her loved ones and her church, she found purpose in life again by continuing to serve and help others.

Last Sunday proved to be a difficult day for Dorothy and her church, as she collapsed while attending service. A few days later, she passed away and is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior. She made the journey to heaven on the very same day she made the journey into the world, as she died on her 90th birthday. Her generosity, wonderful stories, and the sounds of her voice will be missed greatly by all who loved her. The memories of Dorothy Wimmer will forever last in our hearts, and we will never forget her.

Mrs. Dorothy Wimmer, of Grand Rapids, is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior after passing away on her 90th Birthday, March 14, 2017. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard in 2013; her sister, Marian Jean McCormick; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law Phyllis (Donald) Gingrich and Gerald Kragt. Dorothy is survived by her sister-in-law Nita Kragt, as well as nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Dorothy was a longtime active member at First United Methodist Church, 227 E. Fulton Street where the service to remember and celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, March 18 at 11 AM. Friends may visit with her family at church from 10 AM until 10:45 AM. Interment in Fairplains Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either First United Methodist Church or Clark Retirement Community Benevolent Fund. To read more about Dorothy's life, to share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com