Marilyn Margaret Lindeman

Marilyn Margaret Niehaus Lindeman, a cherished 32-year resident of the Neal Ranch community at the Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, died at 12:30 PM Friday, June 14, 2019 in the presence of Bill, her husband of 66 years, and her children. Marilyn and Bill have lived at the Palisades Assisted Living Center for the last two years. The third of eight siblings, Marilyn was born on December 3rd, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio to William Niehaus and Marie Haggerty Niehaus. She was educated by the Sisters of Charity and attended Holy Angels Elementary School and St Marys High School. Like both Marilyns sisters, she was appointed May Queen in 8th grade. As a high school graduate, Marilyn learned double-entry bookkeeping and served as accountant for a prominent Cincinnati grocer; in 1950, she worked as the production assistant for ZIV TV, also in Cincinnati. In 1952, Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, William Lindeman, and began the adventure of serving as an Air Force fighter pilots wife and the mother of five children. Brigadier General Bill and Marilyn Lindeman shared 32 homes during their Air Force years, and Marilyn absolutely relished the excitement of moving to new places and making new friends and communicated that enthusiasm to her children. Marilyn was a joyful, optimistic, loving wife and mother. She leaves behind friends made all over the country and around the world during Bills Air Force career. Athletic and fun, she was a swimmer, diver and hole-in-one golfer. Making many contributions to Air Force society through the Officers Wives Club, Marilyn engaged in civic and social causes and always served as a doer rather than an observer, including leading a special project for the US Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs. At McChord Air Force Base, for many consecutive nights, Marilyn cared for more than one hundred babies airlifted from Saigon during Operation Babylift at the end of the Vietnam War. Marilyn is survived by husband Bill, daughters Suzanne Lindeman Collins of Atlanta, GA; Christie Lindeman Montgomery Luna (Angel) of Silverdale, WA; Cynthia Lindeman Vestuti (Ricardo) of Providence, RI; and sons Mark William Lindeman (Mary Ann) of Monument, CO; and the Rev. Mitchell James Lindeman ( the Rev. Eileen) of Westerly, RI. Marilyn and Bill have fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The grandchildren include Eric and Megan Lindeman; Matthew and Madeline Claire Lindeman, Patrick, Pamela and Ross Collins; Katherine Lindeman Marker; Glen, Victoria, Paul, and Natalie Montgomery; and Marco and Regina Vestuti. Marilyns surviving siblings include Eileen Niehaus Hoffman, Chuck Niehaus (Elaine), and Jack Niehaus (Ann Duddley), all of Cincinnati, and Tom Niehaus (Diane) of Columbus, OH. Marilyns Funeral Mass and Memorial Service will be celebrated at 11 AM on July 31st in the Pauline Chapel at the Broadmoor, 2 Park Ave, Colorado Springs, followed by a reception at the Julie Penrose Hall at St Pauls Catholic Church. Private interment of her ashes will occur after the reception at St Marys Cathedral Columbarium. Funeral arrangements are being conducted by Cappodona Funeral Home. The Lindeman Family would like to especially thank the wonderful care team at The Palisades Assisted Living Center, and New Century Hospice of Colorado Springs. Their tenderness and love were essential to the family as they journeyed with Marilyn, who is now in the Company of Heaven. Moms Eulogy Marilyn Margaret Niehaus Lindeman was a genius at love, joy, and beauty. Just ask Dad, her partner in nearly every adventure since she was 14 years old. She loved him ever since, through a long courtship and a big Cincinnati Catholic wedding with all 7 siblings on show including Tommy, the youngest; baby after baby and move after moving for 67 years. She did not miss a Sunday at Mass. Our family was led from the altar. We honor and remember the shining faithfulness of Marilyns love for Bill: "A month of nights, a year of days: Octobers drifting into Mays," she sang to him into the reel-to-reel during his tour in the Vietnam War. Jan Doran reflected that Marilyns Eulogy would be a love letter, and Jan would know: she learned photography from Marilyn, traveled Italy with her, and recalls her deep loyalty and riotous sense of fun. She and Marilyn were "Sisters by Heart." Jan is the last of a line of longtime girlfriends that Marilyn ran around with. She could do REALLY. UNEXPECTED. THINGS. Once Marilyn, mounted on an old horse for a tour of Monument Valley, galloped past Ricci-- but suddenly slid down the dusty side of her horse and into Riccis arms with absolutely no warning: she chose this dangerous dismount because she wanted to avoid heading to the stableswhere that terrible stink was coming from. She pretty much disliked animals, except for all the ones she loved and fed and petted. Mom had already tested Ricci and found him safe and sound: she quizzed him hard, forcing him to think quickly on his feet when he asked her and Bill for Cindys hand. From then on, Ricci honored the example she set of strength and fidelity in marriage. Marilyn laughed and then winced at the sound of bagpipes and looked around for anyone who could make them stop! Mitch said she possessed the most melodious, effervescent laugh you could ever hope to hear or know. Her singing voice was so beautiful that it embarrassed us in Church, and it stayed beautiful until the very last days of her life. Dad, the last song she ever sang was As Time Goes By. It was with Jan and I, over hot and sour soup, and she sang so unexpectedly and clearly that people stopped talking in the restaurant to look and listen. Marilyn absolutely insisted upon beauty: This may explain why there are at least 5 children or grandchildren assembled here with fine arts degrees. She planted roses in every garden at every house in which we lived. Shamrocks in Iceland. Daffodils everywhere. Marigolds in a riot that took over the front of her last home, on Lowick Drive. She had a plaque that said, 'Bloom where you are planted'. And she did. Marilyn made over 30 houses, "home." Cindy remembers the irresistible glamor of Moms fox fur collar on that soft wool coat; I remember her red velvet queens robe. Dad treasures her photo, taken when she was 30, in her cloche hat; the embodiment of the beauty and grace of the Feminine. She has entrusted her wonderful objects to her children, many brought to new life by her vision and hard work; found through discernment and imagination and loved into beauty: we treasure these things because they carry so much of her. Love broke out into outrageous hospitality at Bill and Marilyns: when they were young there was a squadron dinner party nearly every month at the Lindemans. Patrick remembers Christmas after Christmas where Mimi cooked, baked, and laughed, gave presents and encouraged him and all the rest of the grandkids to swim through the wrapping paper ocean in the living room. Ross remembers his Mimi teaching him patiently how to not burn garlicessential knowledge for a future Chef. Marilyns kids grew up on fine table linen, china, crystal, and silver at dinner! She put the Special in Special Events: Who could forget the beauty of table after exquisite table filling the living room and family room and dining room as Eric and Nicole brought Nicoles mother to dinner at Mimis, before their wedding: Mom did this because she loved Pinky, and wanted to show it. Mother stood up for Mark all the time, when every golf ball, baseball, and basketball crashed through some window, and through all his Emergency Room visits. Mark was an adventurer and is todayhis mother showed him the way. She was an athlete, a traveler, a lover of the unknown and the not-yet-done. She was, to Dads eternal chagrin, a hole-in-one golfer. 'Mitch, you KNOW that you can ALWAYS come home---ALWAYS!' Mom said as she poured that enduring, invisible foundation beneath his feet, stopping the car to ensure he knew as a 5th -grader that there would be nothing he could think, say or do that would ever separate them. Nothing ever did! Cristie remembers her Moms fierce advocacy in the face of arrogant authority: a Lioness with administrators--- teachers who unjustly accused her 2nd -grader of stealing chalk and defacing property, of taping her 3rd-grade mouth shut for talking, or for paddling her in 7th grade for not getting off the swings on time. Grrrrr! Cristie is an advocate today. Cindy remembers Moms deep selflessness. In 3rd grade, Cindy forgot that Colorado Centennial Pioneer Day was tomorrow! Overnight, Mom made a ruffled calico skirt, with an antique button, and provided a cameo to pin to Cindys Juliet blouse with lace trim: perfection. Mom visited every apartment in which Cindy lived: she stayed long enough to cook, clean, and fill the freezer. Mother joined us in our joy, reveling in food, excursions, and all the parties. She famously said, toward the end of her long life, "If its not fun, Im not going!" But she would leap down like a warrior into the trenches of fear, pain and loss with us: When as a young mother Eileen faced hard surgery, Marilyn came to help because she loved her. Pamela remembers Mimis patient and gentle care during her spinal surgeryand the fits of laughter that she would evokea real problem when laughing makes you hurt like crazy! For the entire first two years after my divorce, Mom called me on Friday nights, when the bottom fell out under my loneliness and fear for my childrens futures. She came to shepherd Ross while I traveled for a week of training. Mom welcomed Cristie and her four kids to live with herself and Bill during a time of desolation and despair. Mom accompanied us through the milestone events of our lives---the arrivals of each and every one of 14 grandchildren--the award ceremonies, most of the ordinations, the exhibitions, the graduations, and the weddings. Marilyns last wedding was Katies, who wore her Mimis pearls, and Marilyn danced with every person who attended, starting with the Matt, the Groom. We remember now, Marilyn, the proof of love that you gave us along the way. Welcome home to Heaven, Mom!-- we will join you soon enough, in that home where we've never been before, prepared for YOUand for us--from the foundation of the world. We commit you to God with the same loving sendoff you provided us, your children and grandchildren, every night of our lives as we grew up. You taught us that when we die, we still live, and that in our flesh, we shall see God, as you do now. But for us, Mortal still, we say: Goodbye Marilyn! Love you Mom! Good night, Darling Mimi! Happy Dreams! Service Information Funeral Mass Wednesday July 31, 2019 11:00 AM Pauline Chapel at the Broadmoor 2 Park Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Reception Wednesday July 31, 2019 12:00 PM Julie Penrose Hall 9 El Pomar Rd, Colorado Springs,, CO 80906