Eileen E. Rich

She was born May 10, 1938, the 5th child of John and Frieda Holthus in Johnson County, NE.

She attended rural school at Long Branch # 37, graduated from Tecumseh High School. Graduated 1955.

Eileen met Russell Rich while working in Lincoln. Russell was employed at the Lincoln Air Force Base.

They married June 22, 1957 at the Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Nemaha County, NE.

Eileen traveled to many places with Russ while he was in the Air Force. Russ retired in 1974 and they returned to Lincoln.

She worked at ISCO Mfg Co. until she retired in 1978. During the next 40 years she stayed busy with her upholstery business,

Eileen E. Rich Upholstery. She really enjoyed the work and the people.

Eileen enjoyed joining the different Air Force Groups: The AFS Auxiliary, DAV Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary 131.

Later she became the “Cookie Lady” at the VA Hospital in Lincoln for many years.

She assisted the Havelock United Methodist Church with Food Net for approximately 7 years,

When not working on upholstering, Eileen made and donated many Neonatal pillows to the Bryan Hospital Preemie Ward.

She made blankets for the Child Advocacy Center along with providing hats, gloves and candy. For many years, with help from her daughter Sherry.

Eileen and Sherry worked with the VA Center in Lincoln (supplying clothing, treats and hygiene kits) and Matt Talbot Kitchen (providing clothing and other items needed at the time).

For four and a half years Eileen bravely fought two rounds of breast cancer and one round of metastatic breast cancer.

She enjoyed spending her time with her sister Janice Cawley, sister in law Angela Holthus, brother in law Joe Chizek,and niece Glenna Bohling.

Eileen is survived by her children, Sandra (Daniel) Boyd, and Sherryl Vidlak and

Grandchildren, Paul (Tami Keithley, Fiancee) and Julie Boyd (Jethro Hopkins, significant other)

Nathan (Christina) Vidlak, children Ethan Vidlak and Kailey Vidlak, Garrett (Cassandra) Vidlak

Amanda (Paul) Breyer, child Jordan Breyer, Melissa (Tyler Kornfeld, significant other) Rich,

Jody Rich

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Rich, Son, Mark Rich.

Her parents, John and Freida Holthus, sister and spouse Owen and Nelva Beethe, sister and spouse Glenn,

and Ellen Beethe, brother Alvin Holthus, brother Leroy Holthus, brother in law, John Cawley and most recently her sister Deloris Chizek.

Memorial service will be 10am Monday, September 12 with visitation one hour prior all at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 S.14th Street, Lincoln.

Memorials are suggested to the following organizations:

DAVA Men's Auxiliary 131, 3901 N. 70th Street Lincoln, NE 68507 or Havelock United Methodist Church FoodNet 2723 N. 50th Street Lincoln, NE 68504