Walter J. "Wally" Niehus, 78, of Le Mars, died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at his home with his family at his side, after a lengthy illness.

Walter Joseph Niehus was born Dec. 2, 1925, on the family farm near Remsen, the son of Ben and Katherine (Deiterman) Niehus. He grew up in the Remsen area and graduated in 1943 from St. Mary's Catholic High School in Remsen and attended Trinity College in Sioux City. On Dec. 28, 1954, he was united in marriage to Rita Rolfes at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars by the late Msgr. J. D. Fisch. Wally and Rita farmed for 37 years in the Remsen and Le Mars area. After retiring from farming, Wally drove the Siouxland Transit bus for many years.

Wally was a longtime member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the church choir. He was also an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus, Trinity Council #1466 and had been honored in May as a member for 50 years.

He enjoyed playing cards, bowling, singing in the church choir, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Rita of Le Mars; a daughter and six sons: Ken Niehus and his children Zach, Elizabeth, Kaleb, Ethan, and Aaron, all of Le Mars, and Ken's special friend, Lynda Oster of Cherokee; Tom Niehus of Roswell, Ga., and his children: Justin and Kyle; Rose Hanson and her husband, Steve of Sioux City and their children Christopher, David, and Paige; Gerry Niehus and his wife, Monika of Hesperia, Calif.; Dan Niehus and his fiancé, Renee Pyziak of Littleton, Colo., Doug Niehus of Le Mars; and Mark Niehus and his wife Karla of Maple Valley, Wash.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: Cletus, Raymond, Edward, Gilbert, and Le Roy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars with the Rev. Andrew Hoffmann presiding. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Wally's six sons will be pallbearers. 

Friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. today (Friday) at the Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be held at 7 p.m. and the Scriptural Wake Service at 8 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.