Burial: will be held at a later date in the family lot of the Fairfield Cemetery in Fairfield MT
Alice Eileen Arrington Eisenman, died of natural causes the evening of April 30, 2008 at her home in Hysham, Mont.
"Eileen" was born on October 21, 1920 at Bridger, Mont to George and Maude (Spragg) Arrington. She grew up and attended school in Fromberg graduating Valedictorian of her class on May 20, 1938. While attending school she was active in sports as well as drama and music. Following graduation she attended Johnsons Business College in Billings and worked for Harry Chapel, an attorney; from there she moved to Bozeman and was employed in the Animal Industry Department of MSU for Dr. Clark.While in Bozeman she met Joe Eisenman and they were married on August 22, 1942. She then worked on the pan bench testing the sweetness of sugar for Great Western Sugar. Her husband was a county extension agent and they were transferred to Fairfield in 1943. In 1946 he resigned from the extension service to open his own business, Fairfield Feed & Seed Co., which later became Eisenman Seed Co. Eileen was the bookkeeper there and when widowed in 1972 she continued to take an active part in the business until it was sold. After living in Fairfield for 50 years she moved to Hysham to be near her daughter.
While residing in Fairfield Eileen attended Grace Lutheran Church where she was the organist for many years as well as Sunday School superintendent. She was a member of the Jr. Women's Club and a counselor for Camp Fire Girls, of which both her daughters were active. She and her husband were members of Eunice Brown Chapter #121, where she held the office of Worthy Matron as a number of other offices. In 1973 she was appointed Grand Organist of the Grand Chapter of Montana Order of Eastern Star.Upon moving to Hysham she joined Bethlehem Chapter #27 OES in Forsyth. Eileen also served on the Board of Directors of Treasure County Senior Citizens and provided quality input to all the programs for the betterment of the senior population. Eileen donated fabric and many hours for the quilts that are raffled and sold through the Senior Citizens Group. The proceeds from the sales and raffles help with the fund raising required for the yearly budget. Her musical contributions whether playing piano or singing lifted the spirits of many audiences.
Eileen was the mother of four children: Barbara (Phil) Rodriquez, Carol Klinker, James (Jan Peterson) and Jon Eisenman; six grandchildren: Leigh Olson, Scot Klinker, Derek Stordahl, Darren Stordahl, Robert Klinker, and Mike Eisenman; seven great grandchildren: Bryce Olson, Nicholle Olson, Gia Klinker, Oliver Stordahl, Lucy Stordahl, Abby Stordahl, Alex Klinker, Anker Eisenman and Kelby Eisenman.
She was preceded in death by her husband Joe, her son James, and grandson Scot as well as her sister Theresa (Chester Leach), brothers Allen Merle, Loren, George and Bernard Arrington.
She touched many lives while teaching piano students. She was known for her compassionate concern and willingness to help family, friends and neighbors. Even though her eyesight was failing and dizziness made her walking unsteady she chose to enrich her life and lives of others by giving of herself. Soon after taking up residence in Treasure County, Eileen joined the Wednesday morning "craft" program. An inventory of unfinished projects and the materials available was taken. Eileen immediately had a vision of what was needed to be and could be done. A project was needed for that week so she brought and donated a sampler quilt top and back for the group to add the batting and was placed on the quilting frame. Nimble fingers began taking tiny stitches to hand stitch around the various patterns on the sampler quilt. When completed the quilt was raffled at a quilt show held at the Community Center on June 7, 1994 and $270 was added to the treasury. This was just the beginning! Eileen designed, coordinated, and would sew together (some all handmade) and would do the biggest percent of the quilting. Wednesday morning is now called the "Quilt Program."
Many of these quilt projects can be seen in many homes in the community, the result of Eileen's creativity, expertise and impeccable workmanship. Any proceeds generated by these items were given to the Senior Citizens fund to help raise a portion of the budget.Eileen was a cheerful, helpful, people person who did not need or seek recognition. She willingly shared all of her talents without any "strings attached" and will be missed by man.
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