Dagmar Cheek

Dagmar Cheek passed away peacefully in the presence of family, Thursday March 3, 2022, at the age of 82, in Neosho, MO., after relocating in 2019 from her long-time residence in Amarillo, Texas.

She was born in Konigsberg, East Prussia and was raised in Berlin and Mainz, West Germany before marrying an Airforce Private and moving to Carthage, MO. in the 1950s. She never hesitated to remind people that her country was no longer recognized on a map and she lived her life with a very proud German heritage. Many people delighted in her heavy accent and enjoyed talking with her just to hear it. She would often hold out a hand out and say, “For a little change, I can always talk some more!”

Dagmar was talented and creative, with a sense of humor that swayed toward the onery side. She was fiercely independent and dedicated 100% to anything she was determined to do. She retired after 25 years working as a tech in Mental Health at The Pavillion of Northwest Texas Hospital. Former patients would often spot her in public and approach her with a hug and words of gratitude for the difference she made in their lives while an inpatient there. She remembered those days fondly and was very proud of her career helping others.

She loved nature and was outside every chance she could get, bird and squirrel watching and feeding all the “creatures” Dagmar referred to nature as her church because she felt closest to God there. The ducks and geese were so familiar with her at area ponds that they would literally fly and waddle over to her car before she was able to get out. She had a deep love for animals and had an eye for the most vulnerable, caring for the sickest, smallest or most needy. She loved going for drives through the Ozarks and was blessed to take one last nature drive before departing.

Dagmar loved John Wayne and often teased that he was her reason for coming to America. She loved the thought of living in the old West, in simpler times. She was a committed thrift shopper, loved getting a good deal and bragged of her many “treasures”, but she was particularly proud of her sons’ military service in the U.S. Air Force and Navy. She shared the love of poetry, writing and reading with her daughter and enjoyed word search puzzles and games to increase her English vocabulary.

She loved her entire family, despite years of disfunction and strained relationships. She spent the last two years of her life worrying about them, attempting to make peace as best she knew how, and surrendering all else to God. Her last full sentence was “I’m speaking to Jesus.” And final words included “Thank You.”

When previously asked by a caregiver what her belief was, she replied, “I’m a Christian.” When pressed as to what religion or denomination, she said, “I don’t know about all of that, I just believe in Jesus.” Thank you, Mama, for being an example of what it means to have a child-like faith and that it is never too late to trust in God to transform hearts.

Dagmar was preceded in death by both parents, Charlotte Wolk and Hubertus Vincent Dlugosch and Great Grandson Finn. She is survived by sons: Wess A. Baugh (wife Terra) and Eric M. Kurtz (wife Sue) and daughter Micaela (Mica) Burnett, Granddaughters Tessa (Baugh) Woods, Cherie (Baugh) Beuterbaugh, Sasha Lindsey (Juliano) Harger and Laci (Burnett) Page and Great Grandchildren: Coy, Gabriel, Troy, Murphy, Jordy, Ezekiel, and Lily Jean.

At her request, no public memorial/funeral service will be held. Immediate family held a private ceremony at one of her favorite “churches”. In lieu of any flowers, please consider donating to your favorite animal shelter. Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory of Joplin, Mo.