Watertown High School Alumni
Watertown, Wisconsin (WI)
In Memory of
Richard Nienow
1956-2026
Born Dec 02, 1956, Richard Nienow attended Watertown High School in Watertown, WI.
Class of 1975
Dec 02, 1956 - May 30, 2026
Dec 02, 1956 - May 30, 2026
(no additional information)
Richard "Rich" A. Nienow, 69, of Watertown, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Young Tae Lee officiating. Family and friends may gather at Hafemeister Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place at Glenview Memorial Gardens in Ixonia. Memorials, if desired, may be directed to the church or Rainbow Community Care. His sons have the honor of serving him in the business and trade he taught them. Online condolences may be made at www.hafemeisterfh.com.
Richard Alan Nienow was born on December 2, 1956, in Watertown, the son of Earl and Janice (Stark) Nienow. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1975 while working at Mullen's Dairy. Rich married the former Ann Sweeney on August 18, 1979, at Christ United Methodist Church. While pursuing his education in Madison and Milwaukee, Rich actively served both communities through his involvement in emergency medical services. He graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science in 1980.
Rich dedicated his life to supporting the community through times of grief. His over 40-year career began at Hafemeister Funeral Home, where he worked for 23 years before he and Ann bought the business in 2003. After years of ownership, they sold the funeral home to their sons in 2021.
For over 30 years, Rich lent his skills and heart to the Watertown Fire Department Auxiliary as a certified firefighter II, engine pump operator, and emergency medical technician. Rich had been a member and past president of the Watertown Lions Club since 1979. He was certified in eye tissue enucleation for corneal transplants with the Wisconsin Eye Bank. Rich was a member of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, and the Watertown Moose Lodge #830, as well as a former board member of Crossroads. Rich was on the executive board of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce for several years, as well as the Watertown Main Street Program. He also completed over 18 years of service as a board member and chairman of the Watertown Chapter of the American Red Cross. Furthermore, Rich was a lifelong member of Christ United Methodist Church in Watertown, where he dedicated his time to numerous boards and committees. Most of all, he loved spending time with his granddaughters.
Rich is survived by his two sons: Mike (Jodi) Nienow and their daughters, Raelyn and Quinn; and Mark (Shannon) Nienow and their daughters, Isla and Reily, all of Watertown; as well as numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Rich was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, in 2021; his parents, Earl and Janice Nienow; and his son, Jason Nienow, in 1985.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Watertown Regional Medical Center ICU, Respiratory and Speech Therapy Departments, as well as Rainbow Hospice, for the support they provided to Rich and his family. They are especially grateful to his caregiver, Zula, who was a true blessing to them.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Young Tae Lee officiating. Family and friends may gather at Hafemeister Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place at Glenview Memorial Gardens in Ixonia. Memorials, if desired, may be directed to the church or Rainbow Community Care. His sons have the honor of serving him in the business and trade he taught them. Online condolences may be made at www.hafemeisterfh.com.
Richard Alan Nienow was born on December 2, 1956, in Watertown, the son of Earl and Janice (Stark) Nienow. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1975 while working at Mullen's Dairy. Rich married the former Ann Sweeney on August 18, 1979, at Christ United Methodist Church. While pursuing his education in Madison and Milwaukee, Rich actively served both communities through his involvement in emergency medical services. He graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science in 1980.
Rich dedicated his life to supporting the community through times of grief. His over 40-year career began at Hafemeister Funeral Home, where he worked for 23 years before he and Ann bought the business in 2003. After years of ownership, they sold the funeral home to their sons in 2021.
For over 30 years, Rich lent his skills and heart to the Watertown Fire Department Auxiliary as a certified firefighter II, engine pump operator, and emergency medical technician. Rich had been a member and past president of the Watertown Lions Club since 1979. He was certified in eye tissue enucleation for corneal transplants with the Wisconsin Eye Bank. Rich was a member of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, and the Watertown Moose Lodge #830, as well as a former board member of Crossroads. Rich was on the executive board of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce for several years, as well as the Watertown Main Street Program. He also completed over 18 years of service as a board member and chairman of the Watertown Chapter of the American Red Cross. Furthermore, Rich was a lifelong member of Christ United Methodist Church in Watertown, where he dedicated his time to numerous boards and committees. Most of all, he loved spending time with his granddaughters.
Rich is survived by his two sons: Mike (Jodi) Nienow and their daughters, Raelyn and Quinn; and Mark (Shannon) Nienow and their daughters, Isla and Reily, all of Watertown; as well as numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Rich was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, in 2021; his parents, Earl and Janice Nienow; and his son, Jason Nienow, in 1985.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Watertown Regional Medical Center ICU, Respiratory and Speech Therapy Departments, as well as Rainbow Hospice, for the support they provided to Rich and his family. They are especially grateful to his caregiver, Zula, who was a true blessing to them.