Rienzi Cemetery was established by Wisconsin Territorial Governor Nathaniel Potter Tallmadge, at the time of his son William's death in 1845. The body of his son occupies the first grave in Rienzi Cemetery. The original eight acres Tallmadge set aside from his farm to create the cemetery has been expanded to one hundred acres on a beautiful, hilly, tree-shaded tract in the Town of Empire southeast of Fond du Lac. Rienzi Cemetery now serves as the final resting place for over 24,000. While most of the cemetery is open to everyone, Rienzi also offers many special sections to honor different religions and cultures.