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‘Service above self’

NU pays tribute to Mary Ellen Domeier

By Clay Schuldt 5 min read

NEW ULM - The New Ulm community came together at the Royal Oaks event center Thursday to honor a longtime civic leader and volunteer, Mary Ellen Domeier.

Domeier has the distinction of being the first woman to manage a financial institute in New Ulm. She is the former CEO and Chair of Frandsen Bank & Trust. She retired from the position in 2003, but over the last 20 years she has continued to serve the community across several organizations, many of which she assisted while working full time.

Her community service has included leadership with the New Ulm Area Foundation, State Street Theater Co., New Ulm Retail Development Corporation, Oak Hills Living Center Foundation, United Way of New Ulm, Rotary Club of New Ulm, Brown County Historical Society, New Ulm Area Catholic Schools and numerous other civic, faith and community initiatives. She was also the first recipient of the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce Athena Award in 1991.

New Ulm Medical Center President Carisa Buegler and New Ulm Chamber of Commerce President Sarah Warmka served as the emcees for the evening.

Buegler opened the program, saying that by paying tribute to Domeier, they were celebrating service above self, service to others, service to community and service that makes an impact for generation to come.

The tribute to Domeier was hosted by State Street Theater Company (SSTC), New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce and New Ulm Area Foundation (NUAF), all organizations that utilize volunteers and all of which have benefited from Domeier’s help. Buegler and Warmka began the tribute by discussing her role with the host organizations.

Buegler said Domeier’s recent retirement as a volunteer at SSTC after 12 years was a catalyst for the celebration. Domeier was involved with SSTC from the beginning. Twelve years ago, a plan was formed to renovate New Ulm Junior High School. Domeier was a member of the CENATE board, which bought the building from the school district. Domeier helped transform the property into two entities: Emerson Union Apartment and State Street Theater. She also helped secure the building's place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Domeier served as president of SSTC and as a volunteer CEO, CFO, development director and construction coordinator. However, Buegler said Domeier true legacy to SSTC is the hundreds of volunteer actors, stage hands and other who bring productions to life, as well as the audiences who come to see the performances.

Warmka said Domeier's service to the New Ulm Chamber began 60 years ago when she worked there. In 1965, Domeier was the assistant manager and later said her time at the Chamber sparked her interest in fiance and business that would later shape her career in banking.

Warmka said Domeier would eventually become the first woman to chair the Chamber's Board of Directors, which was the first of many barriers she broke over the years.

Warmka said Domeier's influence went beyond the Chamber. She was asked to serve on numerous boards.

"When there was an important decision to make, a challenge to solve, or a vision that needed to become reality…she got things done," Warmka said.

NUAF exists in large part because of Domeier. Buegler said Domeier served on the foundation’s first board of directors and was an early president.

"She did much of the foundational research--studying how a community foundation could be created and how other communities made theirs successful," Buegler said. "Her work helped bring the NUAF to life."

Today, NUAF remains a strong independent nonprofit with multiple endowment funds that continue to grow and serve as resources for the community.

Later in the evening, NUAF executive director John Illikman announced the initiation of the Mary Ellen Domeier Fund for Performing Arts.

"This is a designated fund to be used for performing arts projects, including infrastructure and primarily at SSTC," Illikman said.

The fund was created by Mickelson Media and Scandia Foundation and Roger & Carol Ryberg. The initial contributions total $125,000. This will allow the endowment to run in perpetuity.

Buegler said Domeier paved the way for generations of aspiring leaders--especially women--to pursue opportunities that once seemed out of reach.

"As [Warmka] and I stand before you today as women in leadership, we know that we--and so many others--owe Mary Ellen our gratitude for helping to clear that path."

New Ulm Mayor Kathleen Backer also spoke on behalf of Domeier. She even delivered a mayoral proclamation declaring Thursday, Oct 8, 2026, "Mary Ellen Domeier Day."

Before reading the proclamation, Backer said to Domeier, "The city is better off because you chose us…You made New Ulm your home. You made New Ulm proud. You helped New Ulm grow and flourish and you continue to make your mark."

At the end of the ceremony, Domeier said the tribute and program was an overwhelming experience and very humbling. She reminded the audience that all the projects she helped on were not done by her alone.

"Projects do not get accomplished by one person in a vacuum," she said. "It takes teamwork, not one person. So all of you deserve a tribute as well. I am grateful to you."

Domeier said the audience was filled with volunteers who helped her along the way.

"I salute you and pay tribute to you for being of service," she said.

Domeier encouraged everyone to continue to seek out groups and organization that need support.

"Together, so much can be accomplished," she said.

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