Eileen Niedermeier

Eileen L. Niedermeier, 88, of Madison, WI died on Monday, December 5, 2011. She was born April 20, 1923, on a farm in Pewaukee Township, Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, Paul G. and Lillie G. Niedermeier, and her brother and his wife, Robert P. and Edna B. Niedermeier.

Eileen is survived by loving family and friends: her special friend, Ernie Wuestenberg; her nephew, William R. Niedermeier (Mary); her niece Ann M. Niedermeier (Donald Chambers); her great-nephews David Niedermeier (Monica) and Michael Niedermeier (Alison Shinsato); her great-niece, Elise Niedermeier; her great-great nephew, Tomas Niedermeier; and her cousins in Madison and Waukesha.

Eileen was a life-long learner and teacher. Her formal education started in a one-room school and ended with a graduate degree from UW-Madison. She taught two years of high-school home economics in Oregon, WI before she joined the University of Wisconsin as an Extension Home Economist. She worked in Waushara, Waupaca and Marathon Counties for 16 years. A highlight of her early career was representing US Extension home economists at the 1959 World Agricultural Fair in India. For the final 14 years of her Extension career, Eileen was based on the UW-Madison campus. She was an organized leader and always an advocate for women.


In retirement, Eileen enjoyed personal enrichment classes like writing, woodcarving, weaving and piano. She loved the outdoors, including fishing, camping and gardening. Her zinnias brightened the tables of family and friends for many years. She traveled the world as well as her favorite state of Alaska.


A private interment will be held at Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery, Waukesha County WI. Those who wish to remember Eileen in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Wisconsin Public Radio or Wisconsin Public Television (both at 821 University Avenue, Madison WI, 53706) or to the Carbone Cancer Center (600 Highland Avenue, K4/658, Madison WI, 53792).