Eileen Elsinger

Our beloved friend Eileen Elsinger passed away peacefully at 3 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2014, transcending her final life challenge of Parkinson's Disease. Eileen's beautiful spirit of dedication to the highest ideals of love, reverence, service and devotion illuminated her life from beginning to end.

Eileen was born on October 23, 1941 to Loretta and Earl Bischoff and was the oldest of six children. She grew up on the family farm in Fairfield Township near Huron, South Dakota. As the oldest child she was always ready with guidance and wisdom for any of her younger siblings who looked to her for support.

After high school Eileen attended Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD. and after two years of academic studies with an emphasis on music, she entered the religious order of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary where she spent seven years as a teacher in Catholic schools in the upper Midwest.

In 1967 she left the order and moved to the Twin Cities to work and to provide financial support for Catholic missionary activities. In 1968, she married Roger Elsinger and their marriage was blessed with their daughter Zoe. They worked on many projects on the east and west coast as well as the Midwest while raising Zoe.

In 1975 they were introduced to the TM program and subsequently moved to Fairfield, Iowa where Eileen continued her teaching career at Maharishi School from 1979 to 1982. In 1983, they moved to Radiance, Texas, and Eileen taught at Radiance School from 1983 to 1988.

Returning to Fairfield, Eileen earned her master's degree in the Professional Writing Program at Maharishi International University. She worked as an intern in the writing program for three years. Eileen was a successful author. Her articles on parenting were published in national magazines and she wrote textbook chapters on language arts instruction for a major educational publisher.

She taught computer literacy at Maharishi Middle School from 1994 to 1998 before taking on the position of Grant Writer at Maharishi School. Over the next ten years, she was successful in garnering many grants including computer equipment and a new school bus as well as many cash awards.

During this time, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease which forced her to retire from grant writing. At that time she joined the Invincible America course for some months until she was no longer physically able to participate.

Eileen had a wide range of interests and accomplishments. She loved to meditate and to write. She loved music and was an accomplished pianist and piano teacher. She enjoyed learning ballroom dancing. She enjoyed studying health and nutrition. She belonged to an investment club. She was always ready to break new ground and learn something new.

Though Eileen's illness was long and at times very difficult, she created a loving family of relatives and friends around herself. She elicited many loving thoughts and wishes for good from all of us who knew her or knew of her. Eileen's daughter Zoe extends her deep gratitude to everyone for all of their loving kindness and attention.

Eileen's survivors include one daughter, Zoe Kivio of Fairfield; three sisters, Marilyn Steder of Dixon, Ill.; Jeanne Bischoff of Minneapolis; and Joan (Perry) Danforth of Huron; two brothers: Gerald (Janelle) Bischoff of Huron, S.D. and John H. (Cindy) Bischoff of Acampo, Calif; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her former spouse and her parents.

We will miss Eileen but know that she leaves with us a lasting legacy of dedication and sincere effort on behalf of those closest to her heart, on behalf of the whole community, and the whole family of man.

In accordance with Eileen's wishes, a Vedic Ceremony was conducted for her by Jennifer Hamilton on the Wednesday after her passing at 2 pm at Behner Funeral Home, 203 S Main St, Fairfield, IA 52556. Afterward, there was a tea and time of exchanging stories, photographs, and memories of Eileen at the home of June Oliver.

The family is requesting donations in lieu of flowers to help with medical expenses. Checks may be sent to:

Sacred Sun Ministries
2581 Glasgow Road
Fairfield Iowa, 52556

Please attach a note saying 'Inspired by Eileen Elsinger' and leave any memo areas of checks blank.