Dr. Richard & Catherine “Kay” Zellmer

Catherine N. Zellmer 8/16/1926 – 3/1/2017

Catherine N. (Kay) Zellmer was born on Aug, 16th 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Alexander and Georgia Nicholson.

Richard E. Zellmer 7/5/1926 – 3/29/2024

Richard E. (Dick) Zellmer was born on July 5th, 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Erich and Luella Zellmer.

Both Dick and Kay attended North High in Minneapolis where they met, became high school sweethearts and began an inseparable relationship for the next 80 years. After graduation in 1944, Dick enlisted and served two years in the Naval Air Corps and Kay pursued a nursing degree from Hamline University. They were married on June 19, 1948, in Minneapolis. Both continued their education at the University of Minnesota. Kay received her Master of
Public Health in 1952 and Dick received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1953. Kay worked for Hennepin County Health Department and Dick enlisted in the United States Public Health Service. He completed his Radiology Residency and served as a physician officer for six years in multiple locations. During this time the couple was blessed with three sons: Richard (1951), James (1953) and Thomas (1956).

In 1959, after serving for two years as the Director of Radiology at the United States Public Health Service Hospital in Chicago, it was time to find a permanent location for the family. So, the family moved to Milwaukee where Dick practiced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology for the next 32 years. While in Milwaukee, Dick was the Director of the Radiology Residency Program at Deaconess Hospital. Dick also held an Assistant Clinical Professorship of Radiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin where he instructed Residents and Fellows in performing some of the first catheterizations for the evaluation of newborns and children with congenital heart disease done in Milwaukee. With the closing of Deaconess Hospital, Dick as President of Medical Imaging, LTD. moved his Radiology practice to West Bend and Hartford eventually becoming Chief of Staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend. Kay’s passion was raising their three boys and all that that entailed: sports, music lessons, scouting and education. Their sons received professional degrees in medicine, dentistry and law. Dick and Kay were also blessed with three loving daughters-in-law: Sharon (Richard ) Zellmer, Elayne (James) Zellmer and Mary (Thomas) Zellmer.

As empty nesters, Kay became a docent at the Milwaukee Art Museum where she loved giving tours to school children and Dick continued working until his retirement in 1991. They developed many strong friendships through the medical community, golf and their passionate love of art. Travel was also a big part of their life, visiting art museums, golf courses and ancient sites across the world with their many friends. Kay’s passion for family genealogy fostered numerous trips to Scotland, Canada, Germany, and Nova Scotia where they would always find a golf course awaiting. In retirement they split their time between Sarasota, FL and Door County, WI entertaining their grandchildren and hosting numerous family gatherings. For health reasons they spent their last years near family in Atlanta, GA.

In addition to her parents, Catherine was preceded in death by her sisters: Elizabeth (Betty) Engstrand, Georgiann Blazek and Marjorie Thorbus. In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his wife Catherine, and their son Dr. James E. Zellmer. They are survived by their sons Dr. Richard A. Zellmer, Dr. Thomas N. Zellmer, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Interment will be at the family grave site at Willow River Cemetery in Hudson, Wisconsin.