Josephine M. Niemeyer

Josephine M. Niemeyer, age 91, of Lowell, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson.

Visitation for Josephine will be at the Murray Funeral Home in Reeseville on Friday, May 1, 2009 from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM and on Saturday, May 2, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services will follow at the Murray Funeral Home in Reeseville on Saturday at 11:00 AM. Rev. Paul Vander Galien will officiate. Burial will be at Lowell Cemetery.

The former Josephine Matilda Fischer was born on January 3, 1918 in Waterloo, Wisconsin to the late Albert and Matilda (Langer) Fischer. She graduated from the Island School in Waterloo in 1931 and earned money for her first camera by starting the fire at school each morning. She began taking photographs in June 1931 and continued until she suffered a stroke in July 2006. On December 4, 1935, she was united in marriage with Henry Niemeyer, who preceded her in death in 1983. Josephine was an avid, life-long collector of U.S. postage stamps; friends were accustomed to her reminders, “save my stamps”. She became absorbed in compiling extensive genealogies of the Fischer, Langer, Setz and Niemeyer families. A shrewd and skillful card player, Josephine loved playing sheepshead, euchre, poker, 500 rummy with adults, and easier games with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and usually beat us all. She was a dedicated vegetable gardener who canned and froze many a quart of vegetables and fruit. She was a steadfast supporter of the Island Church Foundation of Waterloo, Wisconsin; she loved to attend events there and was proud that the small white church of St. Wenceslas had been preserved. Many people responded to her warm, affectionate personality. We love her dearly and will miss her loving presence.

Survivors include her five children; Shirley (Ronald) Ellis of Cambridge, Donald Niemeyer of Lowell, David Niemeyer of Horicon, James Niemeyer of Madison, and Robert Niemeyer of Beaver Dam, grandchildren; Laura (Eric) Cotting of Waterloo, Andy Ellis of Madison, Elisabeth Ellis of Fort Atkinson, Daniel (Brenda) Ellis of Madison, Scot Niemeyer of Reeseville, Holly Niemeyer of Jackson, Addie (Shawn) Parrell of Lowell, Heather Rodriguez of Brooklyn, Russell (Mary) Niemeyer of Beaver Dam, Tony (Michelle) Fox Lake, and Mark Niemeyer of Beaver Dam, great grandchildren; Galen and Indy Cotting of Waterloo, Jessy Poole of Salt Lake City, UT, Christine Beggan of Chicago, IL, Charlene (Chet) Champion Warrensburg, MO, Alexa Ponty of Madison, Casey Ellis of Madison, Crystal Parrell, Alan Parrell, Emily Parrell, Tammy Jo Parrell, Beth Ann Parrell, all of Lowell, Timothy Rodriguez and Matthew Rodriguez, both of Brooklyn, Katelyn Niemeyer of Beaver Dam, Samantha Jo Niemeyer, Nathaniel Niemeyer, and Nicholas Niemeyer, all of Fox Lake, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers; Henry, Harry, and William Fischer, her sisters, Lydia Will, Mary Fischer, Elizabeth Hoffer, Julie Selk, and Helen Braun, her in laws; Esther and Doyle Jacobs, Clara and Morris Pratt, Linda Niemeyer, Ardis Fischer, Grace Fischer, Dorothy Fischer, Doris Fischer, Robert Selk, Michael Braun.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Josephine M. Niemeyer”s name to Island Church Foundation, 232 Bishops Circle, Waterloo, WI 53594-1287.

The Murray Funeral Home in Reeseville is caring for the family. Online condolences may be made on our website at www.MurrayFH.com.

Service Details

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009, 11:00am

Interment Details

Lowell Cemetery