Marilyn Ann (Hartke) Niehaus

Marilyn Ann Niehaus, 91, of Litchfield, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2024, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. She was born June 3, 1933, in Litchfield, IL, a daughter of William Louis and Marie Anna Wilhelmina (Rull) Hartke. She was raised on the family farm southwest of Litchfield. She graduated from Litchfield High School and Capitol University in Columbus, OH. She and Leroy Arthur Niehaus were married July 25, 1981, at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Litchfield. He preceded her in death August 5, 2005. Mrs. Niehaus was employed for many years as the office manager for Wolff Oil Co. in Litchfield, served on the Board of Directors at the Bank and Trust Company for several years. She enjoyed bowling, gardening, sewing, traveling to visit family, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield.

Mrs. Niehaus is survived by:

2 sons, Matthew (Deb) Ward of Evergreen, CO and Paul (Hinzy) Ward of Chicago, IL

1 daughter, Mary Cartwright of Gillespie

3 stepdaughters, Sharon Parker of Noblesville, IN; Nancy Jaeger of Huntington Beach, CA; and Brenda (Rob) Force of Chandlerville, IL

1 sister, Linda (Berl) Jacobson of Germantown, WI

1 sister-in-law Bonnie Hartke of Litchfield

13 Grandchildren, Molly & Hunter Ward; Trevor & Kendra Cartwright; Kelly, Jessica & Amanda Ward; Travis Parker; Terri Lynn Parker; Zachary Jaeger’ Angela Loeffer; Shawn Force; and Sydney Hernandez

Several great-grandchildren

Several nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, Richard W. Hartke, and sons-in-law Terry Parker and George Jaeger.

Funeral services for Mrs. Niehaus will be held at 12 noon Friday, January 3, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Rev. Fred Kraemer of Zion Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer's Association Springfield, IL Chapter, Montgomery County Cancer Association, or American Diabetes Association.

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