Dorothy Margaret (Mohr) Nikolai, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023 while residing at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, WI, under the care of their loving staff and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Dorothy was born March 3, 1930 in the Town of Rib Mountain, to the late Henry and Victoria (Raasch) Mohr. She married James F. Nikolai on October 29, 1949 at St Mary’s Catholic Church Wausau. They lived and raised their family in Wausau, Tomahawk, and Merrill. James preceded Dorothy in death on September 19, 2002. As a young girl, growing up in Rib Mountain, Dorothy left school in ninth grade to help her parents at home. She always wanted her diploma, so she took classes and was able to earn her GED and graduate from high school in 1979, the same year as her youngest son, Andy, graduated. Dorothy worked various jobs including as a licensed beautician early in their marriage and a custodian at Franklin School in Wausau which enabled Jim and Dorothy to purchase their cottage on Muskellunge Lake in Tomahawk. Jim and their sons later remodeled the cottage into their year-round home. She later worked at H & R Block in Tomahawk, Helmstadter Jewelry Store, and Trantow Building Center in Merrill. Her most rewarding position was as a supervisor and demonstrator for Friendly Home Parties. During her 27 years with Friendly, Dorothy earned several perks including trips to Hawaii, Bermuda and the Caribbean, England, and their favorite, Ireland. Dorothy also attended annual conventions in Albany, NY and was awarded many high sales trophies. She enjoyed keeping close to a few of the very special friends she made during her years working for Friendly Home Parties. Dorothy enjoyed traveling and was impressed with mountains, waterfalls, and rock formations. Other interests included casino trips to Laughlin, NV, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and watching the Green Bay Packers, Jeopardy, and the many birds she fed in her yard. Her favorite times were times spent with family and her special friends. Especially babysitting, holding, and watching her grandbabies grow.
Survivors include her three sons, Joseph (Jane), Weston, Bob (Peg), Terre Haute, IN, and Andy, living in her old home in Merrill; two daughters, Linda (Tom) Tompach, Merrill and Laurie (Chuck) Nikolai-Svetlik, Merrill; ten grandchildren, Roy Sefton, Weston, Julie (Jose) Hunt, Schofield, James Nikolai, Berlin, WI, Jackie Nikolai, Merrill, Michele Sefton, Gleason, David (Amy) Nikolai, Wausau, Janelle (Ed) Anderson, Ferryville, WI, Jordan (Amanda) Nikolai, Arcata, CA, Jess (Bailie) Nikolai, Terre Haute, IN, and Aubrey Bayless, Peoria, IL;20 great-grandchildren, Emily (Will) Gibson, Merrill, Stephanie Sefton, Wausau, Brett Sefton, Mosinee, Rebekah (Vincent) Eldred, Eagle River, AK, Elisha Nikolai, Berlin, WI, Trevan, Lily, and Nyxie Nikolai, Arcata, CA, Isabella and Alyssa Hunt, Schofield, Carter and Bailey Nikolai, Wausau, Morgan Sefton, Gleason, Brooke, Sage, and Drake Nikolai, Ferryville, Sloane and Iris Nikolai, Terre Haute, and Edison and Blaire Bayless, Peoria; two step-great-grandchildren, Cody Krznarich, Milwaukee and Blaykli Butler, Dieterich, IL; four great-great-grandchildren, Grace and Liam Gibson, Sophia Brossow, and George Eldred, with another little Eldred due in February 2024. Dorothy is also survived by one brother, Wayne “Bud” (Kathy) Mohr, DePere, WI; one sister-in-law, Regie Nikolai, Mosinee; and also, her special friend and traveling/casino buddy, Jan Seymour of Cedarburg, WI. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Victoria Mohr; her husband, James; two brothers, John and Donald “Dinty” Mohr; one sister, Marsha Nitzsche; great-grandson, Grey Shaver; granddaughter, Ashley Nikolai; and many brothers and sisters-in-law.
The funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, with Rev. Maria Vallabhaneni presiding. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service all at the funeral home. Entombment will follow in the Restlawn Memorial Park Garden of Eternal Rest Mausoleum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. The family will be making donations to various organizations, including St Jude Children’s Hospital at her request, in remembrance of their mom. Direct any memorials to Nikolai Family, 1903 E. 2nd Street, Merrill, WI 54452.