In Loving Memory of Our Favorite Cowboy

This page honors Jon Niedermeier- his life, his resilience, and the quiet courage with which he faced challenges that were often unseen. It also honors the individuals, caregivers, and families walking similar paths, and especially the Alzheimer's Association that works every day, both locally and nationally, to bring understanding, support, and hope into a complicated and often lonely experience. Jon did not have Alzheimer's disease, but he lived with a form of dementia that was subtle, complex, and deeply challenging; for him and for those who loved and cared for him. His health struggles were rooted in a long-standing vascular disease that affected many systems in his body, including his heart, kidneys, and brain. In the brain, this presented as Small Vessel Disease (SVD) and resulted in damage to countless microvessels throughout his brain over many years. This process quietly altered his thought processes, his balance, and how he interacted with and experienced daily life.What made this especially difficult is that Jon could appear perfectly fine on the surface, while privately struggling with balance, spatial awareness, fatigue, and an inability to do even the simplest of tasks like counting to ten. These changes were often invisible, misunderstood, and frustrating; not because he lacked strength or will, but because dementia does not always look the way people expect it to. Through it all, Jon always greeted each day with a smile and was never willing to accept his limitations. He will always be remembered for being a pillar of strength to his family and within the community. The Alzheimer's Association provides invaluable support, understanding, and guidance; not only for those living with Alzheimer's disease, but for all individuals and families affected by cognitive impairment and dementia in its many forms. Their free 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) offers information and referrals to local resources as well as reassurance and compassionate guidance when it is most needed. The family of Jon Niedermeier invites you to join them in supporting this valuable work that the Alzheimer's Association is doing. We thank you in advance.