Ilse Dickinson

Waunakee - Our dear Ilse, age 96, died peacefully on December 8, 2017, at Waunakee Manor Health Care Center, her home for nine years. Ilse was born 3.14.1921 in Reetz, Germany, to Karl and Elisabeth Munch. The youngest of three children, including Gertrude and Bruno, she was always small in stature but large in spirited determination throughout her life. Ilse lived through all the physical and emotional horrors of WWII but came out ahead when, in 1946, she met the love of her life, George Dickinson, in Stine, Germany. They married in 1948 and soon after moved to George's home State of Wisconsin. Adapting to a new country, language and customs was challenging, but with their love for each other, Ilse and George made their way in life together. They both worked for Oscar Mayer, Ilse for 26 years in the lab. George preceded her in death in 2012 and Ilse's family became her friend and caregiver, Nancy Daly, as well as the kind and loving caregivers at Waunakee Manor, especially Nikki Hauer. Charting her own path in life, Ilse was content with a close group of friends, her George, volunteer work through her church, her knitting and classical music. She would often get an idea and knit well into the night listening to Wisconsin Public Radio. She enjoyed many kinds of needlework, traveling in Europe, Australia, South America, and the USA, collecting dolls, Hummel's and crystal. One of the biggest highlights for Ilse was attending Carol Anderson's knitting camp in Sister Bay for several years in the 1980's. There, more than anyplace, she felt right at home connecting with like-minded creative people. In addition to Nancy (whom she met at knitting camp), Ilse is survived by dear friends in Berlin - Ursula and Gerhard Siewert and their family, and a niece, Gisela Munch in Bruhl. A visitation gathering will be held at Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 HWY Q, in Waunakee on Friday, December 15, from 10-11, followed by a gravesite burial service at Sunset Memory Gardens in Madison with Pastor Joel Brandt officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Wisconsin Public Radio, 821 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706 or Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance, 517 N. Segoe Rd., Ste. 301, Madison, WI 53705.
"Peace be with you. Aufwiedersehen Schatzy"

Winn-Cress
5785 HWY Q
Waunakee, WI