Robert J. Niehues, Sr., 87, of Seneca, KS, died early afternoon, September 9, 2010, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Robert was born on June 7, 1923 on the family homestead southeast of Kelly, KS, the son of Bernard, and Mary Knipper Niehues Sr. He attended St. Bede’s School at Kelly and helped on the family farm. He later entered the U.S. Army in 1944 and was discharged in 1945.

On April 6, 1948, he married Mary A. Rennenger at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. After their marriage they lived east of Kelly for three years, then bought a farm near Wetmore where they lived until 1997, when they retired and moved to Seneca.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and St. Joseph’s Society in Seneca. Robert was a former member of St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore; and served on the St. James church council. He enjoyed a good card game, his cattle, and hunting and fishing.

He is survived by Mary, his wife of 62 years, of Seneca; two sons, Robert J. Niehues Jr. of Seneca and Stephen Niehues of Topeka; two daughters, Wilma Korte and Julie Rottinghaus, both of Seneca; a brother, Edwin Niehues of Goff; three sisters, Antoinette Hermesch of Seneca, Josepha Altenhofen of Lincoln and Evelyn Hutfles of Topeka; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyrone Korte on September 11, 2007; brothers, Albert, George, Bernard Jr. and John J. Niehues; sisters, Sr. Richardis, O.S.B., Agnes Niehues, Anna Niehues, Alma Haverkamp, Margaret Boeckman and Erma Niehues.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Monday, September 13, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in St. Bede’s cemetery in Kelly, with military honors by the Seneca VFW and American Legion. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, September 12, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given in Robert’s memory for Sts. Peter & Paul or Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, and sent in care of the family.