Nevilee Toppel Dallmeyer

Nevilee Toppel Dallmeyer, 92 of Brenham and widow of Erwin O. Dallmeyer, died at Kruse Memorial Lutheran Village on March 1, 2005, after a short illness.

Nevilee was born in Burton, Texas on February 9, 1913 to Albert and Ceola Black Toppel. She was educated in the public schools of Burton and received business training from Draughon’s Business College in Houston. Nevilee and Erwin were married on April 6, 1940 in Brenham by Pastor Robert Forrester. After their marriage she joined her husband in the family business, Wm. Dallmeyer and Co. General Merchandise, in Burton, where the Brazos Belle is now located.

During the years her children attended school, Nevilee was active in PTO and scouting and organized the first Brownie troop in Burton. Until leaving Burton after the death of her husband in 1988, she was an active member of St. John’s United Church of Christ of Burton.

After moving to Brenham, she became a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham. She was also a member of the women of the ELCA's Tuesday Morning Circle, the Brenham Fine Arts League (a member since 1967), the Arts Department of the Fortnightly Club of Brenham, the Heritage Society of Washington County (life member), and other civic and arts organizations. Friends will remember Nevilee for the love and care she showed to all persons whose lives she touched.

In 1967 she began studying art and developed a true gift for creating oil paintings of area bluebonnets and wildlife scenes. Her work is included in private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Her husband, Erwin O. Dallmeyer preceded her in death on June 7, 1988. Also preceding her in death were her parents, her stepfather Henry C. Buck, and her sisters Corinne Toppel Caraway and Mary Lou Wehrman Burns, and nephew Thomas Caraway.

Survivors include daughter, Marilyn Dallmeyer Sager of Seguin; son, Erwin C. (Buddy) Dallmeyer and his wife Jeanell of Brenham; grandchildren, Anne Sager McKinnerney and her husband John of Austin, Elizabeth Sager Don Carlos and her husband Randy of Austin, Amy Dallmeyer of Brenham, and Andrew Dallmeyer and his wife Heather of Pflugerville; great-grandchildren, William and Grace McKinnerney of Austin and Mason Dallmeyer of Pflugerville; nephews and nieces, Frank Caraway of Houston, Dr. W. W. Wendt and wife Doris of McQueeney, Vivian Wendt Belo and husband Johnny of St. Mary's, Georgia, Stephen Wendt of Shreveport, Louisiana, Dr. Carl G. Langner and wife Ann of Canyon Lake, Lisa Langner Perrine and husband Cal of Canyon Lake, Fred Langner and wife Nancy of Austin, and Marlene Caraway of Houston; numerous cousins and friends.

Friends are invited to visitation with the family at Brenham Memorial Chapel from 6:30 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2005. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 303 W. 3rd St., Brenham, on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Lawrence Bade, Rev. Kim Little-Brooks and Rev. Glen Schoeneberg will officiate. A private family graveside service is being held in Burton.

Active pallbearers are Ira Allen, Tommy Avis, Darrell Blum, Rick Buls, Quin Kroll, Dennis Landua, E. J. Muehlbrad, Harold Sager, and Otto Wehring. Honorary pallbearers are Kinch Adamek, Charles Blake, J. R. Bredthauer, Kim Coker, Dr. W. O. Dietrich, Brian Fischer, Alton Gasaway, Paul LaRoche, Otto Lehrmann, Lorenz Seidel, John Utesch and Luther Utesch.

The family sends special thanks to the staffs of Kruse Village and Hospice Brazos Valley-Brenham and to Dr. James Urbina.

For those desiring, memorials may be made to the church, organization, or charity of one’s choice; to Hospice Brazos Valley-Brenham (302 E. Horton St., Brenham); or to the Brenham Fine Arts League (P.O. Box 614, Brenham), where Nevilee shared many enjoyable hours with her fellow artists.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, Texas 979.836.3611. www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com