Rita A. Niehues, 81, of Kelly, KS, died Saturday morning, June 16, 2007, at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca.

Rita was born on April 14, 1926, on a farm southeast of Kelly, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Steinlage Niehues. She grew up there, and attended St. Bede’s School in Kelly. She lived with her brother and sister on the family farm all her life, taking care of the home and helping on the farm. She selflessly took care of her invalid mother for 11 years until her mother’s death.

Rita was well known as a green thumb, which showed in her lush vegetable and flower gardens. Rita enjoyed working beside her brother, Ferdi, milking the cows; she also raised chickens. She loved living on the farm and enjoyed nature and the great wonders of the outdoors. She was very fond of all her nieces and nephews, and took great pleasure in their visits and the opportunity to show them the simple gratifications of country living.

Rita also had a love for her church and sang in the choir for many years. She was a very quiet and reserved person, and a very giving and caring woman, who took pleasure in being around others and helping those who needed it.

Survivors are her brother Ferdinand of Goff; and three sisters, Norbertine Miller and Frances Rottinghaus, both of Seneca, and Florence Hermesch of Rogersville, MO.

She was preceded in death by her brother Herbert on June 26, 2000; a two-year-old sister, Anita, on August 27, 1934, and the sister she lived with her entire life, Bernadine, on February 18, 2007.

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

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