Nena Dyhr

Madison - Nena S. Dyhr, age 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends, on Monday, September 21st, 2015 at Agrace Hospice Care.

Nena was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Norman and Mae Brickman on December 29th, 1941 and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the age of five after her father's death. She graduated from Shorewood High School and continued her education at UW-Madison. Nena lived in Watertown for several years before finding herself back in Madison for good in 1973. She managed The Meadows apartments before joining Group Health Cooperative as a receptionist in 1978. Nena worked for GHC for 25 years, advancing to become the manager of medical records at the Sauk Trails facility before retiring. Nena didn't sit still in her retirement, volunteering with Jewish Social Services, attending her Zei Gezundt breast cancer survivors group and Lechayim luncheons. She also loved treating family and friends to shows at the Overture Center.

Nena found her soulmate in 1977 at the Hoffmann House when Thomas (Tom) Dyhr asked her to dance. They finally made it official, marrying on May 18th, 1987, something that Tom attributes to her love of Badger Basketball and his season tickets. They enjoyed traveling together, mostly to Las Vegas where they spent time with their dear friends Harold and Carol, playing slot machines, and going to many shows. They also loved to 'cruise'. They went to Hawaii, through the Panama Canal, and to many other fun ports of call. Their favorite cruises though were the ones to Alaska and the Caribbean that included the family: their daughter Lorin, her son Benjamin, their son Neal, his wife Cathy and their two sons Samuel (Sam) and Lucas.

Nena was her family's own personal super woman. She survived five major cancers over almost 30 years. Throughout all of her medical issues she never lost her amazing smile. Although she lost her last bout with this awful disease, she remained positive until the very end. One of her favorite songs, "My Way", exemplified how Nena lived her life--finding joy in everything that she did and sharing that joy with everyone she encountered.

Nena is survived by her husband Tom Dyhr; daughter Lorin Miller; son Neal (Cathy) Miller; grandchildren Sam, Lucas and Benjamin; brother Mark (Cheryl) Brickman; her sister Marilyn Last; several sisters and brothers in law; many nieces and nephews; and numerous friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Mae Brickman, her parent-in-laws Estella and William J. Dyhr, her sister-in-law Elaine Dyhr, and her brother-in-law Dr. Jules Last.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 25th at Cress Funeral Home, Speedway Road with burial at Forest Hill cemetery.

Donations can be made in Nena's name to Agrace Hospice Care, The Carbone Cancer Center, or Jewish Social Services of Madison.



Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434