Antoinette F. Niehues Hermesch, 100, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Kelly, Kansas died on Sunday, December 26, 2021 at her home.

Antoinette was born February 25, 1921, to Bernard Niehues and Mary Knipper Niehues, on the family farm, South of Kelly, Kansas. She was the tenth of fifteen children born into this union. After Antoinette graduated from St. Bede Parish Grade School she went to live with her brother, Bernard II, and his family in order to attend Bancroft High School her freshman year. The following year, Kelly High School was accredited and she returned home, graduating in 1940. During her high school career, Antoinette played on the basketball team and excelled in typing. Her lifelong competitive nature and love of sports was apparent even as she attended her grandchildren’s sporting events many years later. She worked for several families in the community during and after her high school years, including one year after graduation when she worked as Fr. Paul’s housekeeper in Kelly.

Antoinette married Henry Hermesch on February 10, 1942 at St. Bede Catholic Church and enjoyed 68 years together before Henry’s death in 2010.  They had five children, Robert, deceased, Charles (and Barbara), Jane (and Mike) Sextro, Daniel (and Jan), and Susan Dannels.  Antoinette worked alongside Henry on the farm, she made her children’s clothes, and raised garden produce to feed the family throughout the year. Antoinette also passed down her love of music to her children and ensured they all participated in musical activities. Antoinette and Henry’s family tree has grown and now includes eleven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren.  Antoinette made each of her grandchildren know how special they were to her by playing endless hours of cards with them while cooking their favorite meals and baking unlimited chocolate chip cookies. She would freeze snow so the grandchildren and great grandchildren living in the South could play with it when they came up for a visit. Her grandchildren will remember her for getting into giggling episodes with them during meals, which would cause Henry to ask if she was ever going to grow up. Her response was always “no!”  Well into her 90’s she was known to go sledding and build snowmen.  Antoinette was young at heart and lived her life to the fullest. Her motto was that she would try anything at least once. Antoinette was always ready to travel and see what the world had to offer. Her faith was a very important part of her life and she was a lifelong member of St. Bede Catholic Church and the Altar Society. Antoinette’s hobbies included playing cards (of all kinds!), embroidering, gardening, taking care of her flowers, cooking, looking through cookbooks, visiting with her friends, traveling, watching sports, attending her grandchildren’s activities, and especially spending time with her family, including her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews.  In 2017 she moved to San Antonio to enjoy the warmer climate but always consider Nemaha County her home.

Antoinette was preceded in death by her 14 brothers and sisters, Mary Agnes Niehues, St. Richardis, Annie Niehues, Margaret Boeckman, Alma Haverkamp, Josepha Altenhofen, Evelyn Hutfles, Erma Niehues, Bernard Niehues, Johnny Niehues, Albert Niehues, Eddie Niehues, Robert Niehues and George Niehues.

Antoinette is survived by her children, Charles (spouse Barbara Baldwin), San Antonio, TX; Jane (spouse Michael Sextro), The Woodlands, TX; Daniel (spouse Jan Buell) Hiawatha, KS; and Susan Dannels, Round Rock, TX; six grandchildren: Jamie Sextro (spouse Randall Truett), Ashland, KY, Kevin Baldwin Hermesch (spouse Debra Jamison), Alexandria VA; Michelle Fangman (spouse Michael Fangman), Seneca, KS Robert Hermesch, Manhattan, KS; Natasha Grady-Greene (spouse Kathleen Grady), Georgetown, TX; and Natalie Robertson (spouse Josh Robertson), San Antonio, TX; 10 great grandchildren: Ryan, Alyssa, and Kylie Truett of Ashland, KY; Sophie Hermesch of Alexandria, VA; Jackson, Emmett, Tristan, Emberlee, and Millie Grady-Greene of Georgetown, TX; and Evan Robertson of San Antonio, TX.

And survived by two sisters-in-law, Rosie Niehues and Connie Hermesch.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 PM and 7 PM on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Friday, December 31, 2021 at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly.

Memorials will be designated at a later date, and may be sent in care of the family.