Luanne Nieman

1943 - 2025

Luanne (née Henningsen) Nieman of Saratoga, California passed away peacefully on May 24, 2025 in San Luis Obispo, CA where she had lived for approximately six years. She was 81 years old.

Born on September 9, 1943 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. She is believed to have been the first baby born in the Army hospital built in the "secret city." Luanne was the oldest child of Mary Anne (née Wendering) Henningsen and Carsten Louis Henningsen, Jr. While her family moved a number of times during her childhood, she was proud to have attended Notre Dame High School in San Jose, CA, and later to have earned her college degree from Arizona State University. She married Bernard George Nieman, Jr. in Phoenix, AZ on August 13, 1966 and shared 53 years of marriage.

Luanne was preceded in death by her parents and cherished husband (2019). She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Patrick and Michelle Nieman of Shell Beach, CA; her daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Jon Dauzvardis of Erie, CO; her four grandchildren, Fabian Dauzvardis, Georgia Dauzvardis, Mikayla Nieman, and Cole Nieman. She is also survived by her five siblings: Christine Weidenheimer, Kathy Neilson, Jane Frankie, Carsten Henningsen III, and Michael Henningsen, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Luanne's life was a vibrant blend of intellect and artistry. She was an accomplished visual artist and a willing teacher who shared her passion with others in classrooms, studios, and community spaces. Her volunteer work reflected her deep commitment to the arts, particularly through her involvement with Hokone Estate and Gardens and the Montalvo Arts Center. Luanne found beauty in the world around her-in a well-tended garden, in travel to new places, and especially in the people she met. She had a gift for making others feel seen and valued and nurtured relationships with kindness and humor. She will be remembered for her bright smile, indomitable spirit, and her boundless generosity.

A private family gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to local arts organizations or community gardens.