Rachel F. Niemeier

Rachel Fay (Grummert) Niemeier was born February 18, 1941 in Beatrice, Nebraska to Norman and Bertha Amanda (Schuerman) Grummert.  She died March 24, 2021 at Heritage Care Center in Fairbury at the age of 80 years, 1 month and 6 days.

She was baptized March 16, 1941 and confirmed April 11, 1954 at Peace Lutheran Church, rural Plymouth, Nebraska.

She graduated from Fairbury High School in 1958.  In 1961, she graduated from Bryan School of Nursing, Lincoln, Nebraska, as a Registered Nurse.  She told many stories of nurses’ training adventures and later enjoyed serving on the Bryan Alumni Board of Directors.

Rachel had a varied nursing career, beginning on an orthopedic-geriatric floor of Bryan Memorial Hospital and then working as a scrub nurse for an orthopedic surgeon at the Lincoln Clinic.  From 1963-64, she worked at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington.  The bulk of her career was in the Fairbury hospital – providing in-patient care and home health services.  She finished her career by serving as Fairbury’s school nurse.  She established the Niemeier Nursing Scholarship for FHS students and was pleased to receive care from several of the recipients.

She was united in marriage to Richard Niemeier on August 15, 1965 at Peace Lutheran Church.  They were blessed with two children, a daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters.  Rachel’s granddaughters brought her pride and joy.  The girls laughed as she read stories, enjoyed learning her hobbies, and taught Grandma things as they grew up.

She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury and served for many years as a Sunday School teacher and member of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Ladies Aid, and Altar Guild.  She was active in a Jefferson County Extension Club and was a 4-H Club Leader, serving as a volunteer at both the County and State Fairs.  She became a quilter as she neared retirement and served a term as President of the Rock Creek Quilters Guild.  She truly enjoyed serving her community in various ways.  Her warm smile and story-telling led to many conversations and relationships.

Rachel is survived by her son, Jim and wife Mary of Friend, NE; daughter, Mary of Kansas City, MO; granddaughters, Grace, Sophie, and Emma Niemeier of Friend; brother, Willard Grummert of Clermont, FL; sister Ardis and husband Mike Knoflicek of Decatur, GA; sisters-in-law, Ann Grummert of Stuart, FL and Judy Grummert of Rock Falls, IL; brothers-in-law, Don Niemeier of Amelia, OH and Gary Niemeier of Dewitt, NE; nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Frieda Grummert; husband; brother, Lowell Grummert and wife Connie; and sister-in-law, Gail Niemeier.

Services will be held March 29, at 10am, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Rev. Glen Emery officiating.

Memorials established to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Nebraska South District Endowment Fund.

Services will be Monday, March 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury. Visitation will be Saturday 4 – 8 and Sunday 1  -  8  with the family greeting friends from 2 – 4 on Sunday at the funeral home.  Masks are required. Memorials will go to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com