Thursday, October 10th, 2019
Noted philanthropist Dianne Komminsk dies
By Sydney Albert
NEW BREMEN - A philanthropist who actively supported the local schools, library, first responders and had a hand in many village projects died Saturday after a lengthy illness.
Dianne Komminsk, who got the ball rolling on the creation of Komminsk Legacy Park, will be missed, New Bremen Council President Don Kuck said. He said he'd known her since childhood and had worked with her for many years.
No age was provided.
"I'm sorry she's gone," he said, describing her as an affable and friendly person and saying she was "ever so generous to the village."
Both Komminsk and her family were very community minded, Kuck continued, noting she had been a big supporter of the local library, school district and police department.
Yet despite her involvement in many community improvement efforts, Komminsk wasn't the type to seek accolades, Kuck said. The park that carries her family's namesake, Komminsk Legacy Park, was named such only at the insistence of village officials after its completion. Officials believed Komminsk and her family's contributions and legacy within the village needed to be recognized.
Afterward, Komminsk helped establish a fund to care for ongoing park expenses as well, Kuck added. While the park will certainly be a big part of her legacy, he said it's only a small part of all she's contributed to the New Bremen community.
"The village of New Bremen is proud of what Dianne Komminsk and the Komminsk family have done for New Bremen," he said.
Village administrator Christine Dicke said while she didn't have as long a working relationship with Komminsk as others did, she had known Komminsk as a friend.
She was a fun-loving, wonderful woman who was happy and giving by nature and dedicated to New Bremen, Dicke said.
"She loved New Bremen, and it was pretty evident from everything she tried to do," Dicke said.
Komminsk in 2018 also donate $1 million to create a 6,000-square-foot multiuse space called the Dianne Komminsk Center for Innovative Thinking to be build as part of the New Bremen Elementary School project.
