Dorothy L. Hallemeier

Dorothy Louise Wilhelmine Hallemeier

October 2, 1923 – May 15, 2025

Saint Charles, Missouri

Dorothy Lousie Wilhelmine Hallemeier (nee Leimkuehler) of Saint Charles, MO, passed away May 15, 2025, at the age of 101. Beloved wife of the late Kermit Hallemeier; cherished daughter of the late Emma (nee Schone) and Edward Leimkuehler; devoted mother of Karen (Steve) Long, Gary (Gloria Grimm) Hallemeier, and Carol (Cal) Rudsinski; loving grandmother of Pat Spencer, Andy Spencer, and Amy Rudsinski. She is also survived by her nieces, nephews and sister-in-law Janet Leimkuehler. Preceded in death by her siblings Erma (Bob) Hallemeier, Kathleen (Paul) Wilke, and Gilbert Leimkuehler; and her granddaughter Kimberly Rudsinski.

Dorothy was the oldest of four children and grew up during the depression. Because the bus stopped picking up students in her part of the county, Dorothy was unable to finish high school and never realized her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher. But she never lost her love of learning and began using a computer when she was about 60 years old.

After she married Kermit, she became a stay-at-home mother and instilled in her children a love of learning. As they got older, Dorothy began working at Mattingly's to help provide for her children's college education and was a proud parent when all three children graduated with degrees in education.

Dorothy enjoyed volunteering at Immanuel. She was an active member of the Ladies Evening Guild, Mother's Club, Braille Workers, serving in the concession stand at athletic events, and the church archives. She and Kermit were also very involved with the Couples Club.

After her children left home, Dorothy and Kermit travelled the country in their pickup truck camper. They were able to visit their children in New York City, Pittsburgh, California and Oregon. After Kermit's passing, Dorothy was able to continue travelling and, with Gary's help, visited Washington, Alaska and especially Germany to see where her ancestors lived.

She also played cards and dominos with family and friends, put together picture puzzles, played solitaire on the computer and did word searches and sudoku.

The one interest Dorothy enjoyed most was genealogy. She was a research volunteer with the St. Charles Historical Society for many years. This led to decades of searching her own and Kermit's family history and the creation of countless binders full of research into their families’ ancestries. The people she uncovered in her research were not just names but relatives that helped make her the person she was.

Dorothy was non-imposing, but yet impactful, especially in the lives of those around her. Despite all she did to support others, she did not need to be thanked, but she was always thankful herself. Even as her memory faded, she never forgot to thank those who helped her. She taught us how to live and throughout her life was grounded in her faith.

In memory of Dorothy Hallemeier, please consider donating to one of the following:

• Immanuel Lutheran Church (https://www.immanuelstcharles.org/give/)
• St Charles Historical Society (https://scchs.org/donation.php?dc=2)
• St Paul's Lutheran School in Des Peres, MO (https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z9WD/campaign/C-11EWE)