Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 1/28/2005

Pearl Nadine Dosmann

Oct. 18, 1924 -- Jan. 25, 2005

Pearl Nadine Dosmann, 80, of South Bend and formerly of Madison Township, passed away Tuesday evening, January 25, 2005, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, following a short illness.

"Nadine" was born on October 18, 1924, in rural Madison Twp. to Oaklyn S. and Pearl Marie (Webster) Longenecker. She grew up on a farm where she spent most of her adult life. Nadine graduated from Madison Twp. High School in 1942. On November 16, 1946, Nadine married Gordon L. Dosmann in St. Monica Catholic Church, Mishawaka.

Nadine's surviving family includes her husband of 58 years, Gordon; sons, David M. (Bobbi) Dosmann of Lakeville, Marc A. (Kay) Dosmann of Goshen and Scott A. Dosmann of South Bend; grandchildren, Tim (Mechelle) Dosmann of Edwardsburg, Michael Dosmann of Ithaca, N.Y., Aimie (Zachary) King of Charlotte, N.C., and Andy Dosmann of Bozeman, MT; stepgrandchildren, Jamie (Nancy) Mann of Lapaz and Pat Mann of South Bend; and great-grandchildren, Deven and Daphne Dosmann of Edwardsburg.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Sherman and Harry Longenecker; and by a sister, Anna Laura Seese.

A member of "America's Greatest Generation," Nadine endured the hardships of the Great Depression era's farm life. She bolstered the World War II effort by working at Studebaker, Inc., while her future husband served his country in the United States Navy. Following the war, Nadine devoted her time to raising her children, instilling in them the faith, dedication, hard work, humility and honesty she so wonderfully embodied. After raising her sons, Nadine returned to the work force at Lechlitner Plumbing and Heating in Wakarusa for several years.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka, the Madison Twp. Homemaker's Club and was a past president of Logan Center Parent's Group. Nadine and Gordon enjoyed collecting antiques and traveling.

Always the devoted grandmother, she rarely missed a grandchild's wrestling meet, soccer match, horse show or musical/drama performance. During the week of the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair, Nadine could always be found in the horse and pony barns helping her grandkids, regardless of the weather. Because of her collection of ducks, her two great-grandchildren always knew her as "Grandma with the ducks."

Friends may spend time with Nadine's family today (Friday) from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 West Third Street, Mishawaka, where the Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. Mill St., Mishawaka, with Rev. Robert Yast officiating. Cremation will follow with burial in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Logan Center Adult Education Program or to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available in the funeral home.