Eileen Jeanette Hazard Eisenmann has transitioned to her heavenly home on July 16, 2014 surrounded by her loving family.
She was born May 25, 1925, in Blissfield to Earl and Bessie Reed Hazard. As a child growing up she claimed to be her dad’s hired hand on their farm, learning an excellent work ethic at a very early age. She started dating the love of her life for their junior-senior prom, and graduated in 1942 from Blissfield High School.
Because she was too young to enter nurse’s training, Eileen worked for a year at Blissfield’s sugar beet factory, earning enough money to pay for her future education at Flower Hospital School of Nursing in Toledo, Ohio, where she graduated in 1946. After passing her state boards for Registered Nursing, she began her 60-year-long career in Nursing at Emma L. Bixby Hospital. On December 11, 1946, she married Lowell Eisenmann when he returned from the service. Together, they created a living legacy. Eileen continued her nursing career at Bixby Hospital until her retirement in 1989. She held numerous positions, including pediatrics, and staff development. She became a champion for wound care, taking a special interest in patients receiving a new “ostomy.” She founded the Ostomy Association of Lenawee County. Her diligence for wound care and ostomy care soon found her in a newly created position as Director of Infection Control and Central Supply. She continued in this role for nearly 20 years until her (first) retirement. She began working, again, at CQC — the old Bixby where her career originally began.
When Lowell’s health began declining, she retired again at age 82, assuming her final nursing job, as the loving and sacrificial care giver of the love of her life.
Eileen was an active member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, especially the Kum-Join-Us Sunday School class; holding positions in the women’s missionary group, including state secretary; leading the youth fellowship with Lowell; and for many years until just a few months ago, was in charge of the funeral dinners at Emmanuel. “Just put me in the kitchen” was her mission in later years. As a God loving woman, her legacy included showing all who knew her what unconditional love and sacrificial giving of self was all about. She and Lowell created an incredible family that shares a closeness and love not often seen today. Her door was always open and and an extra plate was set at the table for anyone coming through the door.
Surviving is the love of her life and husband Lowell of nearly 68 years. Surviving children are Wonet Kulwicki, (Richard Ryan); Keith (Barb) Eisenmann; Dawn (Sam) Rupp; Rose (Adrian) Ninaber; Zell (Rita) Eisenmann; and Noel (Dori) Eisenmann; 19 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
As her final gift, her body has been donated to the University of Toledo Medical Center. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 215 E. Jefferson St., Blissfield, with Pastor Zack Dunlap officiating. Visitation will start at 9:30 a.m. The family would like to extend an invitation to continue celebrating and sharing the life of Eileen over lunch in the church basement fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, Eileen has requested donations to Hospice of Lenawee or Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Blissfield.