SR0555 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0555 LRB104 17592 LAW 31020 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Constance M. "Connie" Niemann, who passed away on December 26, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Connie Niemann was born to Ralph and Cecelia (Jansen) Volm on August 4, 1932; she attended Quincy Notre Dame High School, where she played piano and marimba in the orchestra and glockenspiel in the marching band; she remained involved in music while attending Quincy College, known today as Quincy University, and graduated in 1954; she married Richard H. "Rich" Niemann Sr. on October 6, 1951, and together they raised eight children; and

WHEREAS, Connie Niemann was deeply dedicated to serving her community, and she gave generously of her time, talents, and treasure through leadership and volunteer roles with the Quincy Symphony Women's Board, the Encore Community Counseling Board, the Adams County Mental Health Center, and the Good Samaritan Home Executive Board; at St. Peter School, she served as pianist for the children's choir, a Girl Scout leader, and co-founder of the school library; in recognition of her service, she was honored as a Girl Scouts' Woman of Distinction in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Connie Niemann was a devoted partner to her husband, Rich, offering steadfast encouragement and loyalty as he navigated the challenging early years and later success of the Niemann Foods grocery and other retail businesses; together, they served on community fundraising campaigns for the Salvation Army, the Adams County United Way, and Quincy University; their shared commitment to education, faith, and community was recognized by a number entities, receiving the Quincy Notre Dame Band Award, the Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools Foundation's Friend of Catholic Education Award, and the Catholic Charities Distinguished Service Award; and

WHEREAS, Connie and Rich Niemann further gave back to their community through launching the Connie Niemann Wheeler Scholarship Fund in memory of their late daughter at Quincy Notre Dame High School and partnering with Quincy University, in conjunction with the Niemann Foods Foundation, to establish the Connie Niemann Center for Music in 2013; in recognition of their lifelong service and commitment to Quincy University, they received honorary Doctor of Human Letters degrees in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Connie Niemann and her husband also cherished attending family vacations in Florida, snow skiing as a family in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and traveling throughout Europe, and they especially enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren at home; and

WHEREAS, Connie Niemann shared her love of music with countless piano students, most notably her children and grandchildren; she also enjoyed playing golf and tennis with Rich and gathering with her close friends for a game of bridge as an excuse to have a nice lunch together; and

WHEREAS, Connie Niemann was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and daughter; her legacy of love, service, and devotion will endure through her family, the music she shared, and the traditions, faith, and generosity she modeled every day; and

WHEREAS, Connie Niemann was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Rich; her daughter, Constance A. "Connie" Niemann Wheeler; her parents; and her brother, Don Volm; and

WHEREAS, Connie Niemann is survived by her children, Linda M. (Steve) Ebbing, Richard H. (Susie) Niemann Jr., Daniel M. (Angie) Niemann, Ted M. (Suzanne) Niemann, Christopher J. (Tammy) Niemann, Margaret M. "Peggy" (Randy) Guse, and Amy E. (Patrick) O'Keefe; her son-in-law, Paul (JoJene) Wheeler II; 24 grandchildren; and 52 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Constance M. "Connie" Niemann and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Connie Niemann as an expression of our deepest sympathy.