Evelyn Joyce Nimmer

Evelyn Joyce Nimmer, 87, returned to the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on October 28th, 2016, surrounded by family.

Evelyn was born to Cedric “Ted” and Emma Smith in Granton, WI, on June 21st, 1929. From an early age, Evelyn excelled academically and in 1947 she was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She graduated with a degree in English Education (minor in Spanish) in 1951. At the UW, she met her sweetheart and future husband, Edward H. Nimmer.

“Ed and Ev” married on July 14th, 1951, and made their home in West Allis. Evelyn was blessed with a large and loving family who admired her enormous faith and kind spirit. Over their 65 year marriage Ed and Ev raised four children: Emily Matthews (Alastair), Margaret Callens (Anthony), Eric Nimmer (Ramona), and Thomas Nimmer (Xiaodong). Her love was then passed on to sixteen grandchildren: Alan, Austin, Chloë, Eva, George, Hannah (Samuel), Helen, Iain, Joshua (Sarah), Karl (special friend Jessie), Laura (Trevor), Lydia, Miranda, Sarah, Whitney, and Zachary. She has two great-grandchildren: Jordan and Reagan, and two more will join the family soon. Evelyn is survived by her devoted husband Ed, as well as her brothers: Jerome Smith (Beverly), Roderick Smith (Doris), Richard Smith and Charles Smith, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (all listed above), as well as many more family and friends.

She is remembered for her love of reading, gardening and songbirds, her dessert recipes, the photos she always carried in her purse to share at gatherings, and her love of the English language – expanding the vocabulary and gently correcting spelling and grammar errors of those she loved. Above all, she is remembered for the way she’d greet everyone- stranger or family- with a warm embrace, and then follow through with genuine care for their well-being.

Evelyn fully embraced her primary vocations of wife and mother throughout her married life. As life situations allowed, she also worked as a teacher of high school English and Spanish. Throughout her adult life, Evelyn found time for volunteer work in her church and community, seeking out those in need and tirelessly working to assist them. Most notable were her many years of work as a volunteer counselor with WELS Lutherans for Life, which she steadfastly continued even after suffering and recovering from a brain aneurysm in 2004. Although she is dearly missed by her family and many friends, they take comfort knowing she has rest at last from her 87 years of faithful service for the Lord.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 4th, from 9-11AM, at ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4001 S. 68th St., Milwaukee, WI, followed by the funeral service at 11AM.
Her family requests that any gifts go to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Christian Life Resources.