Leonore Dickmann, age 92 of Markesan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at Markesan Resident Home.
Visitation for Leonore will be held on Monday, October 19, 2015 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Tom Totton will officiate. Burial will take place at Green Lake Center Cemetery, town of Green Lake.
The daughter of Irene (Popper) Wade and Gus Kanakaris, Leonore was born on August 30, 1923. Leonore married Lloyd Dickmann in 1958 and enjoyed 57 years of life together. After graduating from Solomon Juneau High School in Milwaukee, Leonore continued her education and received her bachelor’s degree at Milwaukee State Teachers College and eventually her PhD from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Leonore started her career as an educator as a 4th grade teacher in the Milwaukee school district where she soon became a Vice Principal and then Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction of the Milwaukee Public School District. After receiving her PhD, Dr. Dickmann became a Professor of Education at the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh for many years. She was a strong believer in the power of education. She was the recipient of the Johnson Foundation Award for distinguished teaching 1970, the Danforth Foundation award for Humanistic Concerns 1974 and the recipient of UW Oshkosh Outstanding Educators Award 1972. She was an author of numerous books, including “The Seven Sides of Symmetry…a theory of curriculum and instruction.” This work, described as “a model for education in the future,” was presented to the United Nations for discussion in Paris, France. She was a trailblazer in academia at a time when women were not prominent in the field.
Upon retiring from being a college professor, Leonore continued her lifelong journey and love for learning by becoming an avid book collector. She and her husband Lloyd established the Happy Tales book shop…open on Saturdays, by appointment and by chance. Their shop was featured on CBS Sunday morning national news. Leonore was passionate about books as they have the power of elevating people’s thoughts and challenging them to experience greater things in life. She also loved pink…because it was pretty.
Leonore enjoyed life on the farm with her husband Lloyd, being a homemaker and wife, doing embroidery and tending to her flowers. Leonore and Lloyd loved each other dearly and both had a deep love and passion for God.
Leonore is survived by her sister, Jessie Ripple of Ithaca, NY; her brothers-in-law, Harold and Ralph Dickmann; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lloyd on April 9, 2015; and other relatives.
Memorials in Leonore’s name may be directed to the Green Lake Public Library, 518 Hill St., Green Lake, WI 54941.
Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Markesan is honored to be serving the family. You may send private online condolences or sign the family’s guest book at www.cstonefs.com
