Niemann, Virginia Freeman (1923 ~ 2008). The following is an obituary for Virginia Freeman Niemann, spouse of former Texas House of Representatives member Fredrick A. Niemann. The obituary was published in the July 21 edition of the Austin American Statesman.
"Virginia (Vi) Niemann (Mrs. Fred Niemann) Virginia Niemann died peacefully after a very brief illness on Saturday, July 19, 2008. She was born Virah Freeman to her father Oscar Grady Freeman and her mother Bertha Emerson Freeman in Hillsboro, Texas, on October 17, 1923.
Losing her mother to mental illness at age five, she lived with and was raised primarily by her beloved Aunt Neva Cartwright, with the loving support of her father who traveled in his work. She attended college at Texas Womens College and the University of Texas, and worked during World War II as a draftsman, helping design airplanes. Later she worked in the oil and gas industry until she met and married Fred Niemann, a law student from Yoakum, Texas. Virginia often cited the single event that most changed her life for the better was meeting and marrying her beloved life partner, Fred.
After graduating from law school at the University of Texas, Fred opened law practices in Yoakum and San Antonio, before being elected to the Texas Legislature, representing DeWitt and Lavaca counties from 1949 through 1956. With the election to the legislature, Austin became Fred and Vi's lifelong home. Fred's Austin law firm of Niemann & Niemann grew to include their children and grandchildren. As an early married adult, she came to a realization of the great sacrifice her Aunt had made in taking her in and raising her. She asked her Aunt what she could ever do to repay the sacrifice and kindness, and was told that if a similar opportunity ever presented itself, to do the same for someone else. Remarkably, within months of that conversation, her nephew, Larry Niemann, lost his parents, and Fred and Virginia adopted then 12 year old Larry as their son.
Shortly thereafter the couple had three additional children, Fred Jr., Jimmy and Linda. Having missed a stable home early in her life, Virginia often said her primary goal in life was to provide a stable home for her family. She accomplished that goal spectacularly, setting an example with her kindness, generosity, and quiet strength. Her secondary passion was real estate investing, and she and her husband made many sacrifices early in life to successfully invest for the future of their family. Her graciousness, generosity, wisdom and many kindnesses will be remembered by everyone who knew her.
Virginia Niemann was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister, Alva Bouldin. She is survived by her half sister Beth Holliday, her children Larry Niemann and his wife Carol, Fred Niemann, Jr., James C. Niemann and his wife, Janiece, and Linda Niemann Wittig and her husband Joe Wittig; her nine grandchildren Connie Heyer, Sherry Willerson, Nancy Niemann, Fred Niemann III, Mary Niemann, Michael Niemann, Tracy Ogle, Sherry Wittig, and Mike Wittig; and her four great-grandchildren Nicole Heyer, Dare Willerson, Megan Ogle and Trenton Ogle.
There will be a viewing and the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A closed casket funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel followed by burial at the Texas State Cemetery next to her husband, Fred. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the charity of your choice."
Further information is available through the Texas State Cemetery research department. |
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