Dagmar Wichert

Dagmar Maria Wichert, 94, a resident of Woodland Terrace in Bridgman, formerly of Bethany Beach and Chicago, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Woodland Terrace, with family at her side.

She was born February 6, 1921, in Chicago, to Axel and Frida Ekstedt, who had recently immigrated from Sweden. The Depression, the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, and trips to Riverview Amusement Park were all vivid memories. She graduated from Lakeview High School and attended Metropolitan Business College to acquire skills in office procedures, then worked as a secretary. She remained a crackerjack typist well into her eighties!

One Sunday when she was seventeen, David Wichert noticed the beautiful brunette in a neighborhood drug store, followed her back to Edgewater Baptist Church, wrangled an introduction, then wooed and won her two years later. This resulted in a loving union of sixty-nine years! She became a full time homemaker, raising four children and caring for elderly relatives. Her bravery was displayed when taking two tiny tots across the country in a crowded troop train to be near her husband before he shipped out to Japan. She was energetic, thoughtful, and insightful... “the wind beneath our wings,” always supporting and encouraging our family. Hobbies included remodeling their various homes, refinishing furniture, gardening, and football! She and David enjoyed traveling to nearly every state. A few years ago, he wrote in a postcard from Florida, “I'm so lucky to have Mom for a girl friend.” They retired to Bethany Beach in l983, remodeling their cozy little cottage into a year around home, and then to Woodland Terrace in 2005, after David's stroke.

Dagmar committed her life to Christ as a young girl, and was always a student of the Bible, displaying a quiet, consistent faith. She was a member of Edgewater Baptist Church, and then Sawyer Highlands after their move here. She was preceded in death by her brother Roy, and then her husband, David, in 2009. She will be lovingly remembered by her children – Nancy Johnson of Grand Haven, Susan Keith of Rochester, NY, Linda (Ken) Kallberg of St. Joseph, Donald Wichert of Madison, WI; grandchildren – Tim (Kris) Johnson, Elizabeth Trapp, John (Seana) Johnson, Jenna (Leo) Varghese, Lars Olson, Matt (Lauren) Johnson, and Laura Wichert; great-grandchildren – Kurt (Lisa), Linnea, Erik and Karl Johnson, Brett and Ashley Trapp, Annalise and Cody Olson, Jess Johnson, Ingrid and Clyde Johnson, and Nava and Ephraim Varghese.

A celebration service will be held at noon on Saturday, March 7th at the Community House in Bethany Beach, with the Rev. Jeff Dryden officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sawyer Highlands Church.

Celebration of Life

12 NOON ,Saturday, March 7, 2015
Bethany Beach Community House
12684 Oak Park Ave Sawyer, MI 49125