Carol L. Dickmeyer

Carol Lee Dickmeyer was born in Fremont, Nebraska, on October 2, 1943, to Elmer and Clara Westermann. Carol grew up on the family farm northeast of Arlington, Nebraska, where she attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School. It was there she first met a boy in second grade who would become the love of her life. Ron and Carol were the story you always hear about–the cheerleader and the basketball player–and their teenage love continued throughout their younger years. They were, quite simply, the couple who were perfect for each other. After years of courtship, they were married on December 27,1964, in the very church where they first met.

After graduating with honors from Arlington High School, Carol continued her education at Dana College, where she graduated in just three years with a degree in Teaching. While Ron finished his teaching degree at Midland, she started what would be a lengthy career working as an elementary school teacher. She touched the lives of thousands of children over the years, giving each one the gift of learning and education. When not teaching, she perfected the role of wife and mother. She and Ron raised three kids in Millard, and they spent their lives in the Omaha area surrounded by great friends before retiring and moving to Gretna, Nebraska.

Carol cherished reading, and whenever she was not occupied with teaching or family life, she could usually be found curled up on a chair enjoying a delightful book–a passion she shared with many of her children and grandchildren. The evenings for Carol always meant a walk. The shoes would go on, and she would take the hand of her love and their kids and walk the neighborhood no matter the weather or what the day had become. This was her happy place and something she looked forward to every night. It slowly became less about the exercise and more about quality time with her family and having them close to her. Finally, while she loved to watch her children and grandchildren play at gyms, fields, and rinks across the state, the real reason she agreed to go was not just the event, but the possibility of a soft serve vanilla ice cream cone with her family after the game. Even to the end, ice cream seemed to always bring her back to her childhood, her family, and her love, Ron. It was something she never passed up.

When Carol began to decline over the past few years, the one constant was her loving husband, whom she had known for 75 out of her 82 years of life. Unconditional love is hard to define but easy to see. As her mind was ravaged by dementia and she became less aware of her surroundings, the same seven-year-old boy remained steadfast in his love for her and was always by her side. Surrounded by her family, Carol entered Heaven on March 19, 2026. She was strong in her faith and embraced her destination with open arms.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Clara Westermann, as well as many relatives and cherished friends. She is survived by her loving husband Ron; her children, Kelly (Tim) Miller, Kerry (John) Waldow, and John (Charissa) Dickmeyer; seven grandchildren, Alex (Taylor) Miller, Connor (Rachel) Miller, Logan (special friend Chris Pladsen) Waldow, Brandon Waldow, Ashlyn (special friend Riley Grennan) Dickmeyer, Evan Dickmeyer, Lawson Dickmeyer; and one great-grandchild, Mia Miller. She is also survived by her sister, Illene Dunklau, and her brother, Delvin Westermann. Memorials can be directed to Wee Lambs preschool at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to continue her passion of influencing the lives of young children.

Visitation Friday (3/27/26) from 5:00-7:00 PM at Good Shepherd Church. Funeral Service 10:30 AM Saturday (3/28/2026) at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 11204 S 204th Street Gretna, NE. Memorials to Wee-Lambs Preschool.

Roeder Mortuary 11710 Standing Stone - Gretna, NE - 402-332-0090 www.RoederMortuary.com