Muriel Eid
June 20, 1929 - April 23, 2020
Obituary
MIDDLETON - Muriel Jane (Smith) Eid, age 90, of Middleton, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on Thursday, April 23, 2020, at Sebring Assisted Living/Memory Care in Madison.
Muriel was born on June 20, 1929 to Fred J. and Margaret (Wilkinson) Smith. She grew up in Sherrill, N.Y. across the street from her father’s hardware store where she often led her schoolmates past the candy counter for a treat and helped herself to a doll baby buggy at Christmas time.
Following graduation from Sherrill High School, “Smitty” graduated from Plattsburgh Teachers College with a BS in Education and later earned her MS in education at Queen’s College in New York, N.Y.
Muriel taught kindergarten in Great Neck on Long Island, N.Y., and Monterrey, Calif. In 1960, she met her special husband, Vernon Walter Eid, at an officer’s club dance in Kaiserslautern, Germany, where they both were teachers at the U.S. Military base.
After courting on the Swiss Alps, they were united in marriage in Madison, Wis. in 1962, and they began their family life in Middleton, Wis. While a stay-at-home mother, Muriel continued to use her passion for teaching as a Sunday School teacher, piano teacher, and substitute teacher for Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District.
Muriel was an active volunteer at her church, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Middleton, as a member of Martha’s Circle, Merry Mission, and vocal and handbell choirs. Her civic involvement included leading Girl Scout and Cub Scout troops, serving as an election poll worker, and volunteering at Middleton Outreach Ministry. She was a very good neighbor.
She enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, knitting afghans, playing piano, and every opportunity to play with her grandchildren.
Muriel is survived by her three children, Karen (Ian) Rodricks of Woodbuy, Minn., Erik (Lisa) Eid of Middleton, Wis., and Kristin (Cory) Olson of Wauwatosa, Wis.; and five grandchildren, Laura Rodricks, Emily and William Eid, and Evan and Andrew Olson. She is further survived by two sisters-in-law, Harriet Hong and Helen Eid, both of Osseo, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her parents; two brothers, Robert and Kenneth Smith; three sisters-in-law, Phyllis Smith, Janice Klebig, and Florence Eid; four brothers-in-law, George Eid, Gordon Eid, Byron Klebig and Gordon Hong; and two nieces, Patricia (Smith) Newsted and Mary (Eid) Everson.
Muriel’s family would like to give special thanks for mom’s care to the staff at Waunakee Manor, Sebring Assisted Living/Memory Care and Agrace HospiceCare.
The family will hold private funeral and burial services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org or to Middleton Outreach Ministry, 7432 Hubbard Ave., Middleton WI 53562.
Muriel was a wonderful lady.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
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Memories
PM
Patty Mielke
Other •
What a beautiful picture and story of your mother! I feel like her life could be a great book. Your mom was a joy to be around and was always interested in everyone she met. She had three wonderful children looking after her these last years. Praying for all of you at this time.
DC
Diane Campbell
Other •
Aunt Muriel was my favorite aunt! She always made you feel special as she always remembered your birthday until the time her memory was lacking. My brother, sister, and I looked forward to a visit from Aunt Muriel while we were kids. She always had special art projects, or fun activities, or books for the three of us. I believe it was through these times with Aunt Muriel that planted seeds for me to eventually become an elementary school teacher, like her! Aunt Muriel was a godly woman, who always spoke positively about others. You always felt safe and loved when spending time with her. One memory I have was the pizza she would make when she visited her mother, Margaret Smith, who lived next door to my family. One of the toppings she offered was anchovies. My siblings and I always teased her to leave the anchovies off our piece! Memories are the legacy of love. I will forever remember the warm and caring expressions she showed to my own children, triplet daughters, later in her life. May God’s love make the family’s grief bearable. Wishing the family strength and peace at this time. Love, Diane Smith Campbell (Deenie)
PH
Pam Hauswirth
Other •
We were sad to hear about the passing of your mom. It was nice that you had the opportunity to say your goodbyes during this time of separation. Your mother was a beautiful and kind person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
MS
Mark J. Smith
Other •
Aunt Muriel will always have a special place in my heart. Until she married, she and I shared the same initials, MJS. I can remember sharing that piece of trivia with her as a child. A visit from Aunt Muriel was always awaited with great anticipation. She was always so attentive to us and was very interested in how we were doing in school. When she taught in Germany, she would send me picture postcards of the places she visited, so I started a collection and still have the album with most of the postcards coming from her. I found it fascinating to get postcards from countries in Europe. She may have instilled my love of geography with those postcards. When she would come to our Grandma Smith's house, next door, she would make pizza for us as we crowded around our Grandma's small kitchen table to enjoy the meal she prepared for us. She was so special and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Karen, Erik, and Kristin.
Mark J Smith
DH
Duane Hinz
Other •
Just learned of Muriel's death on the news. Would have known immediately if not for the pandemic preventing visits to Sebring where I saw her and Audrey daily. My sympathy to the family, may God comfort you in your sorrow. It's been a long journey, I know. Duane Hinz
SV
Susan Vial
Other •
I used to spend time with Muriel at Sebring during her Sunday lunches when she sat at the same table as my mom, Toni. Thank you for sharing her life story in the obituary. I liked the last line, as it was so true: "Muriel was a wonderful lady." She had a sweet smile and was very kind. Her eyes would light up with laughter as well. in fact, when I saw her photo in the newspaper I first recognized her eyes. I send my condolences to you and send my wishes that you may feel much needed relief as you finally mourn your last good-bye to Muriel. Sincerely, Susan Vial