DAMMEN, Wilma Myrlette (Berg) "Connie" 1921-2016

DAMMEN, BERG, NELSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/3/2017 at 11:00:16

Wilma "Connie" Dammen

Died December 28, 2016

Wilma “Connie” Myrlette (Berg) Dammen, age 95, of Osage, died Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2017, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage with Rev. Alan Schulz officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage. The family suggests that memorials may be directed to the Faith Lutheran Home or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage.

Connie was born April 16, 1921, in Osage, Iowa, the daughter of Hans and Mary (Nelson) Berg. She graduated from Osage High School in 1938. On March 20, 1944, she married Karl G. Dammen at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Connie taught school for many years in Mitchell County and was a housewife on the family farm. She was a lifelong member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and a member of Sons of Norway for many years.

She loved gardening and people said she had a “green thumb” which means a natural talent for growing plants. Connie loved reading, working on puzzles, sharing long stories about family history, and making cookies and other treats. She often spoke of how she had enjoyed teaching school, including one year when she had all grades 1st grade through 12th grade, all at the same time in one small country school building. Connie spoke fluent Norwegian and would often converse with her sister Doris in the native language.

She was an outstanding cook, and cherished preparing huge family meals, especially during the holiday season. Connie spent countless hours transporting four children to and from sports, 4-H, and FFA events. She enjoyed traveling and often spoke of her trip to Norway with her sister Doris where they were able to see and spend time with family from “the old country”. Even in her 90’s, she would often treat the family by delivering “The Lord’s Prayer” in Norwegian to everyone’s amazement and joy.

Connie is survived by her children, Dennis M. (Julaine K.) Dammen of Prior Lake, Minnesota and Mary L. (Ronald W.) Graeff of Ottumwa; daughter-in-law, Carol Dammen of Riverton, Wyoming and her family; grandchildren, Michael Dammen and wife Lisa of Urbandale, Tony Dammen and wife Cherie of Elizabeth, Colorado, Krista Anderson and husband Todd of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Aaron Dammen and fiancée Carla Baker of Bloomington, Minnesota, Nicole Clausen and husband Josh of Mason City, Helga Dammen of Mason City, Stephanie Dammen-Morrell and husband Matt of Richmond Hill, Georgia, Anna Graeff of Ames, Arun and Anuradha Graeff of Ottumwa; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Izzy and Gunnar Dammen, Dalton Croft, Olivia, Amelia and Victoria Anderson, Henna and Jonas Dammen, Lily and Gunner Clausen; and many beloved nephews and nieces and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Karl in 1981; daughter, Betty Dammen; sons, Darwin and David Dammen; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Christian Hansen; brothers and sisters-in-law, Orville and Georgia Berg, Clifford and Madeline Berg, Norman and Dorothy Berg, and Kermit and Candace Berg.

Champion - Bucheit Funeral Home (641)732-3706

Source: Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home website