Eileen Helen Friederick

Eileen was born in Omaha, NE in 1924 to Albert Miller and Sophie Muhlecke, a large immigrant family. Her mother immigrated from Hanover, Germany when she was 14. Eileen was raised with three brothers and two sisters all living in a one-bedroom house on Nebraska Avenue. Her father worked at as a pressman for Epson Litho-Graph and rode the bus each day as the family never owned a car. Her mother, in turn, was a homemaker who spoke German and English (with a beautiful German Accent). Eileen and her siblings grew up in the Great Depression and life was not easy, yet it formed the humble, loving person Eileen became. She attended Belvedere Grade School and Omaha North High School. In 1941, Eileen met a dashing man at the neighboring Tech High School. Robert “Bob” Friederick and they were married on November 7, 1942. Shortly after they married, Bob was drafted into the military for WWII. Eileen and Bob traveled across country during these years from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Chicago to San Diego. They even drove from New Jersey to NYC to see Frank Sinatra in the early years. After returning to Omaha, they welcomed their only child, a beautiful baby girl. Their daughter Gloria Jean “Jeanie” grew up in a loving supportive family, surrounded by her Grandparents and too many cousins to count. Eileen and Bob were the best parents anyone could ever ask for. In 1962 Bob and Eileen opened Florence Appliance, in North Omaha. While Bob was out servicing TV’s and appliances, Eileen was handling everything else. She enjoyed air boating, motorcycling, fishing, bowling, reading, birdwatching, and dancing. In 1976 Eileen and Bob moved a block from their daughter in Elkhorn to be close to their daughter and the grandkids. Her grandkids, Kristen, Scott and James “JR” were so lucky to have their Grandparents so integrated in their lives. LOVE is what Eileen give in copious quantity to anyone she knew. She was the most gracious and loving woman with the BEST hugs. It wasn’t uncommon to see her sitting on the floor with the kids playing. She even earned a nickname by her first Great Grandchild. Jacob would identify each grandma by saying Grandma Rowe was “Grandma with the white hair” and Grandma Eileen as Grandma with the Cat. The nickname stuck. She was so proud to be called by her nickname, she signed all her letters “Grandma Kat” and today all her Great and Great-Great Grandkids called her Grandma Kat. Eileen outlived all her brothers and sisters and most of her close friends. She was blessed with a wonderful daughter who took care of her to the end, and a son-in-law who doted on her. Her three grandkids and their spouses all loved her like crazy as did her seven great grandchildren, one great grand daughter-in-law and 2 beautiful great-great grandchildren. God put Eileen on the earth to show us what true love really means. She will be missed by all who knew her, but never forgotten. Eileen is preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Leo Friederick, and her parents and siblings. She is survived by her only daughter, Gloria Jean "Jeanie" Friederick Rowe, and her husband, Jim; grandchildren: Kristen (Rowe) and Jeff Baxter of Kimberling City, Missouri, Scott and Erica Rowe of Elkhorn Nebraska, James and Lindsey Rowe of Omaha Nebraska; great grandchildren: Jacob and Brittany Baxter of Nixa Missouri, Nicholas Baxter of Springfield, Missouri, Sara Baxter of Kimberling City, Missouri, Evan and Mia Rowe of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Miles and Lydia Rowe of Omaha, Nebraska; great-great grandchildren: Hayden and Winnie Baxter of Nixa Missouri. The funeral will be held on Saturday, May 21st 1 pm at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Visitation will be held at Reichmuth on Friday, May 20th from 5-7pm. Burial will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Food Bank of the Heartland. www.foodbankheartland.org

Eileen Helen Friederick

October 13, 1924 - May 16, 2022