Thelma Niehaus

Thelma A. Niehaus left this world to meet with her Lord and Savior Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau with her son and his wife by her side. Thelma was born to Elmer C. and Maudie Schrader Ludwig in Risco, Missouri, Feb. 1, 1940. She was one of 12 beautiful children.

She grew up and graduated from Risco High School and attended two years at Southeast Missouri State University.

She married Thomas Shaughnessy and from that union Paul Stephen was born. They later divorced. She married Walter Niehaus on July 27, 1968. Walter adopted Paul as his own.

Thelma was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Dexter, Missouri. Although she was unable to get to church these past five years due to her health, she loved listening to or watching the Lutheran Hour.

Anyone who knew Thelma knew she wasn't afraid of a little hard work (in fact she wasn't afraid of much of anything). She spent many years farming with her family and enjoyed every minute of it.

Sweet, sweet Thelma had a heart the size of the moon and always gave more than she ever received. God gave her a gift of feeding those around her, whether it was with food, sharing Jesus or her love. She wanted everyone happy. Of course, she never knew a stranger. If she didn't know you, she probably knew someone who did. She touched people with her generosity and passion for life!

But there was nothing in this life she loved more than her son, her pride and joy, Paul Niehaus. And he loved her too! She was an amazing mother, grandma and great-grandma. All of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren cherished their Grandma Thelma. Their one-of-a-kind grandma could put a smile on their faces with the silly stories she'd tell them over and over again.

Sweet Thelma is survived by her son, Paul (Glenda) Niehaus; four granddaughters, April (Sam) Craig, Ashlee (T.J.) Ringling, Kortnee (Sam) Goodman and Hayley Niehaus; grandson, Hunter Niehaus; five great-grandsons, Colten, Kyle and Corey Craig and Peyton and Kelan Ringling; five great-granddaughters, Emma Ringling, Kaylee and Gracee Pulsipher (Goodman), Ember and Elyssa Craig; two sisters, Norma (Ed) Macon and Georgianna Ludwig; brother, Arlin Ludwig; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Jeanette) Ludwig; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Niehaus; her parents, Elmer and Maudie Ludwig; in-laws, Henry and Sophia Niehaus; siblings, Elmer Ludwig Jr., Maxine Goodwin, Schrader Ludwig, Anna Joyce, Robert (Bob) Ludwig and Norman (Sonny) Ludwig; and one other brother and sister who both died at birth.

The family would like to thank the amazing people at Central Gardens in Dexter for the care they provided Thelma for the past five years. They would also thank the doctors and nurses at Saint Francis for taking great care of her the last week of her life. Thank you! You'll never know how much all of you were appreciated.

Visitation will be from noon until 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral service will then be conducted at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home Sunday with Pastor Justin Sponaugle officiating. Family, friends and others whose lives Thelma touched are invited to reminisce, grieve and support one another.

Burial will follow in the Hagy Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to a local charity or church of your choice.