Erma J. Niehues, 73, of Goff, KS, died Thursday evening, February 12, 2004, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. She had been in ill health for several years.

She was born September 19, 1930, on a farm southeast of Kelly, KS, the daughter of Bernard Sr. and Mary Knipper Niehues. She was the youngest in a family of 15 children. She grew up there, attended St. Bede’s Grade School, and graduated from Kelly High School in 1948. Erma helped on the family farm, which included a dairy. Later she helped care for her elderly parents and continued to make her home with her brother George and sister Anna.

She was a member of St. Bede’s Church and the St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church in Kelly. Erma enjoyed embroidery and playing cards with family and friends.

Survivors are four brothers, George Niehues, of the home, Albert and Edwin Niehues, both of Goff, and Robert Niehues, Sr. of Seneca; five sisters, Sr. M. Richardis, O.S.B. of Atchison, Margaret Boeckman of Onaga, Antionette Hermesch of Seneca, Josepha Altenhofen of Kelly, and Evelyn Hutfles of Topeka.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Bernard “Ben” Niehues, Jr. and John J. Niehues; and three sisters, Agnes Niehues (an infant), Alma Haverkamp, and Anna M. Niehues.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM Monday at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Cemetery, and sent in care of the family.