Renee Nimmer

Renee Nimmer, passed peacefully on to the Lord, on June 21, 2026, at 68 years of age. Born to Arthur and Marcia Nimmer on March 15, 1958, in Peoria, IL, she experienced a joyful childhood growing up in Sioux Falls, SD and Fairmont, MN. The family later moved to Wauwatosa, WI where she graduated from Wauwatosa West High School in 1976. During her time at West High School Renee participated in gymnastics, swimming, and diving. In her Senior year, she was voted prom queen alongside Dean Ratas, who was prom king. They later married in 1977, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Renee and Dean had five children, whom they raised in Menomonee Falls until 1988, when they separated. One of her most cherished roles was being a mother.  She was the caring mother of Thomas Ratas, Marissa Ratas, Elizabeth Ratas, Presvytera Lorice (Father Paul) Dinkov, Nicholas (Jasmine) Ratas. Devoted grandmother of Philip, Ioanna, Lennon, Mariam, and Harlan. Sister of Teresa (Mark) Vogel and Sarah (Jason) Soloninka. Cherished Aunt of Alicia, Natalie, Grace and Joseph. She is further survived by her father Arthur Nimmer, her aunt Barbara Lammers, BFF Cindy Orlando, and the father of her children, Dean Ratas. Preceded in death by her daughter, Marissa Renee Ratas, her mother Marcia Nimmer, and brother Arthur David Prentice Nimmer.

Renee spent most of her time caring for her children, one with severe disabilities, while still working and being an active member of her parish, St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Cedarburg. Throughout her years in the Orthodox church, Renee participated in Teen SOYO, baked countless sweets, helped at the Strawberry Festival, attended many Parish Life Conferences and baked prosphora (holy oblation bread) for the Divine Liturgy.

Renee was always active and ready for an adventure!  She enjoyed swimming, playing all kinds of sports, being in nature, gardening and being with family and friends.  But some of her greatest loves were music and dancing.  Her home was always filled with musical sounds both old and new and if for some reason you couldn’t find her, she was probably on the dance floor! Another one of Renee’s loves was cooking and baking sweets, especially ethnic Syrian cookies using an old Lebanese family recipe along with her mother-in-law’s recipes for traditional Greek cuisine and desserts; and even more than the cookies, she enjoyed teaching her family how to make them. She loved thrifting, shopping and looking for a good deal.

Renee was an active member of the American Syrian Lebanese Club of Milwaukee, and participated in the Midwest Federation of American Syrian Lebanese Clubs (MFASLC) events, including fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  She was a co-sponser of the MFASLC Scholarship Program in memory of daughter Marissa Renee Ratas, and brother Arthur David Prentice Nimmer. Renee, her children and extended family frequently attended the annual conventions across the midwest, where she could often be found on the dance floor – once again!

Her vocational involvements varied throughout her life. She worked as a lifeguard at YMCA, a gymnastics coach at LaFleurs, a consultant at Strong Funds, and an Assistant Office Manager at AAA. At age 50, Renee attended UW-Waukesha, graduating with an Associates of Arts and Science degree in 2012. She ended her vocation as a Certified Professional Coder, with outpatient and surgical certifications, and became an Independent Coder until 2023.

Having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Renee retired and moved to an Assisted Living facility, Village Point Commons (VPC) in Grafton, where she had a good support community, including her special friend, Jerry. Throughout her life, and especially during her difficult health journey, her friends were constant supporters and her true champions. She continued to stay active at VPC, baking, decorating for holidays, swimming, exercising, and thrifting in their community closet.

One of the most memorable things about Renee was her devotion to her faith, always making time to go to church and teach her children about Christ’s love.  Even until the end, when things got tough, she held fast to her faith, spending each day in fervent prayer.

In the place of Thy Rest, O Lord, where all Thy Saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Thy servant; for Thou only lovest mankind.  O Virgin, alone pure and immaculate, who without stain didst bring forth God, intercede for the salvation of her soul.

Memorial donations can be made payable to St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, or Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, or directly to the family c/o Nicholas Ratas (W1757 State Road 33, Mayville, WI 53050).

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa at 10:00 AM. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM. Procession following to Pine Lawn Cemetery at 10700 W Capitol Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53222 for interment. Followed by a Mercy meal at Alioto’s Restaurant in Wauwatosa.

May her memory be eternal.

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