Dr. Jill J. Niesen, PhD, 67, received the promise of eternal life on Monday, June 20, 2022.  She was born in Racine on January 30, 1955, daughter of the late Gilbert J. and June (née: Carpenter) Niesen.

Jill was united in marriage to the love of her life, Lynn McMunn, at their home in Bristol, CT, on April 4, 2009.

Jill was educated at St. Edward's School and St. Catherine's High School in Racine graduating in 1973.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Parkside in 1978, Master of Science in Behavior Disabilities from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1988, and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology (specializing in Counseling Psychology) from the University of Connecticut – Storrs, in 1999.  Jill was a member of the American Psychological Association, American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Association for Retarded Citizens, and volunteered Special Olympics, among others.  Jill's life truly was dedicated to advocating for those who have trouble advocating for themselves.

Her career in intellectual and developmental disabilities started with her volunteering at a young age at Camp Kinder in Racine thanks to her sister, Loretta.  She worked in the field of developmental disabilities for 40 years in the states of Wisconsin and Connecticut.  She has worked with young children all the way through geriatric patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  Jill has been a clinical psychologist/counselor, case manager, assistant principal, residential services supervisor, and certified state inspector, just to name a few.

Jill loved her many fur babies (dogs) past and present.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed travelling throughout the United States with her wife, Lynn.  She was a pageant mom to her Goddaughter and also a surrogate pageant mom for other women in the Miss America pageant.  One of her favorite pass times was researching the genealogy of her family including making a power point presentation for her family so they could see and asked about their history.

Jill leaves to cherish her memory, her wife, Lynn McMunn; four-legged fur baby girl, Nikki Marie; sisters, Loretta Niesen Sackman, Francis (Gary Weiss) Cullen, Deanna (Dennis) Rybarik, Casey May Niesen, Arlene (Dom) LoPiccolo; sister of the heart, Jacquelyn Jackson; Godsons, Donald (Lisa) Rybarik, Timothy (Rebecca) Cullen; Goddaughters, Christa Johnson, Jessica Johnson; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends too numerous to mention.

In addition to her parents, Gilbert and June, Jill is preceded in death by her sister, Carol Obernberger; brother, Gilbert Niesen, Sr.; brothers-in-law, Thomas Cullen, Sr., Gerald Sackman, Wayne Obernberger Sr.; niece, Stephanie (Sackman) Charpentier; great-nephew, Thomas J. Cullen III; great-niece, Sophia Rybarik; and her numerous fur babies.

Visitation for Jill will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, 4:30pm until 7:00pm, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road.  A celebration of Jill's life will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 12:00pm, at St. Edward Catholic Church, 1401 Grove Avenue, with Rev. Jose Mario Nieto Restrepo officiating.  Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church from 11:00am until the time of the service.  Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia.  The family has suggested memorials to the Humane Society of your choice, or the Racine Police Department K-9 unit.

The family would like to thank the staff of Aurora Medical Center and Aurora at Home for the care given to Jill and her family during this difficult time.

Service Details

Visitation for Jill will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, 4:30pm until 7:00pm, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road.  A celebration of Jill's life will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 12:00pm, at St. Edward Catholic Church, 1401 Grove Avenue, with Rev. Jose Mario Nieto Restrepo officiating.  Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church from 11:00am until the time of the service.  Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia.

The service will be live streamed from the following link:

https://youtu.be/a-Hy7AYyAuA