Mary Rose Dimke

We are sad to announce the passing of Mary Rose Dimke of Glendora, California. She was born on April 19, 1943 and passed away on October 12, 2023 in her home, surrounded by loved ones after a battle with Parkinson's disease. A memorial is planned in Waumandee, WI on November 11 at St. Boniface Catholic Church at 11:00 am. A memorial in Glendora, CA will be scheduled at a later date.

Mary grew up on her family’s beautiful farm near Waumandee, Wisconsin. Her parents taught her the values of hard work, faith, and caring for others. Mary had a deep and abiding love of music and a passion for education. Family gatherings always included a guitar, a piano, an accordion, a harmonica, or simply singing along. She sang and played with her sisters Carol and Judy in several bands in Wisconsin. A pint sized powerhouse, Mary developed a strong work ethic by working alongside her father, Aaron, on the farm and helping her mother, Janice, raise her seven younger siblings. Later she applied this indefatigable energy to teaching in Winona, Minnesota, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 30 plus years at Northview High School in Covina, CA. She loved her students with all her heart.

Mary was introduced to Chuck, her husband, by Bill Sullivan, Chuck’s college roommate. Chuck and Mary were married in a double wedding ceremony with their best friends, Sharon and Bill on October 11, 1969. Chuck and Mary shared a love of nature, travel, education, history, and building people up. Several years later, the joy of their life, Jim Dimke was born. Mary loved being a mother and enjoyed caring for just about anyone she came into contact with.

Anyone who visited Mary could count on good conversation, a guitar sing along, and an excellent meal with a ridiculous supply of food! Mary was giving, vibrant, resilient, creative, and could be described, by all of the people in her life, as a non-stop DOER. Mary’s legacy continues to grow in the family, friends, students, and colleagues she influenced.

Mary is survived by her son, Jim Dimke, daughter in law, Brett Young, brothers Ron (Gail) Reuter, Joe (Kathy) Reuter and Roger (Michelle) Reuter and nieces, Erin Signoriello, Latonia Schmitt, and Shannon Kauffman and nephews, Chris Mancuso, David Mancuso, Cory Waltzer, Matthew Reuter, Anthony Reuter, David Reuter, Michael Reuter, and Thomas Reuter and special cousin Bonnie Modjeski. Mary was preceded in death by her mother and father Janice and Aaron Reuter and siblings Carol Mancuso, Judy Waltzer, Audrey Reuter, David Reuter and her loving husband, Chuck Dimke.

The family is incredibly grateful for the support of Mary’s dedicated caregivers, Cheyenne, Myriam, Cindy, Pepper, and Amor, who all helped Mary transition with comfort and grace.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate in Mary’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to Feeding America, so that Mary can continue doing what she loves most, helping kids and feeding people.