Dolores Thimke

MADISON- Dolores Topp Thimke, age 87, of Madison, Wisconsin died on June 10, 2018 at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on September 8, 1930, in Neenah, Wisconsin, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Irvin J. Topp of Clintonville, Wisconsin. She attended Clintonville Public High School and was an honor student in her 1948 H.S. class. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1952 after completing her major in economics in three years and was admitted to Artus, a national economics honorary society. She entered the University of Wisconsin Law School in her senior undergraduate year and graduated in the U.W. Law Class of 1954. She was one of the few women who dared to enter Law School at that time and despite that; and working to support herself she became a lawyer. She completed her law school education in a 6-month apprenticeship in the office of a deceased, prominent Clintonville attorney, Clifford C. Mullarkey. She was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in January 1955. After her apprenticeship she became Attorney Clifford C. Mullarkey's associate until she married Attorney Raymond C. Thimke and returned to live in Madison. She was appointed Assistant Revisor of Statutes July 16, 1956 by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She served under Revisors of Statutes, James Burke and Orlan Prestegard. During her 34 years of state service she attended many National Legislative Conferences to explain the "Wisconsin Idea" of the revision of statutes since Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to develop continuous revision of statues. She dealt with sexual discrimination in her profession as a challenge. She retired from state service January 2, 1990 and was presented with a State of Wisconsin "Service Appreciation" plaque. She often volunteered using her professional talent to address local political issues and also served on the Capitol Neighborhood Association, Executive Council Member, and a member of Downtown Madison, Inc.

Dolores' interests and activities included collecting original art, music, theater, collecting antiques, discussing politics, dancing, nature hikes, biking, attending university classes again, and she was a world-wide traveler for many years. She was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, American Bar Association, Wisconsin Bar Association, Dane County Bar Association, American Society for Public Administrators, American Association of University Women, Capitol Neighborhood Association, Executive Council, Downton Madison, Inc., Madison Art Center, supporter of Madison Civic Music Association, Elvehjem Museum of Art, WHA, was a member of Night Owls dancing club, Madison Curling Club, Friends of the Library, and Friends of the Arboretum.

Dolores is survived by her sister, Donna Mae Dykstra, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; her niece Carmen Dykstra Steuer, Knoxville, TN. Dolores Topp Thimke was preceded in death by her father, Irvin J. Topp , a well-known Clintonville Wisconsin Dentist, her mother Hattie Roloff Topp, her beloved Vernon C. Stuck, and her beloved Peter D. Dennant.

Memorials may be made to the Bethel Lutheran Church Endowment Foundation, Dolores Topp Thimke Bethel Horizons Endowed Fund, or to the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Dolores Topp Thimke Law School Scholarship Endowed Fund, or other charities of choice.

Dolores had high life goals and she accomplished many of them. She chose a low profile, but was an argumentative professional, competitive, collaborative and compromising. She was giving of her professional and creative talents and her material wealth.

Special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare staff for their loving and compassionate care.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434