Mary A. Niehues, 90, of Seneca, Kansas, died early Tuesday morning, March 15, 2016, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Mary was born, a twin, on July 17, 1925 on a farm north of Seneca the daughter of Jacob J. and Wilhelmena C. Rottinghaus Rennenger. Mary and her twin, Aurelia, were always very close. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School in St. Benedict and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1943. As a young woman, Mary along with her sister, Aurelia went to work for Prieber & Sons Poultry and Egg Company in Goff, Kansas, as a secretary. 

On April 6, 1948, she married Robert J. Niehues Sr. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. As newlyweds, they lived east of Kelly for three years; before purchasing a farm near Wetmore, where they resided until 1997, when they retired and moved to Seneca. 

Mary was employed at the Sac and Fox Casino for about five years; and later she worked at Nemaha Valley High School as an assistant librarian.  Mary loved to play cards, cook and bake, and raise a large garden so she could feed her family home grown vegetables. She also assisted her husband on the farm with the seasonal jobs, cutting thistle, fixing fence and driving grain trucks.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Altar Sodality in Seneca. Mary was a former member of St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore, where she taught second grade religion and was very active with the parish. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert on September 9, 2010; a grandson, Tyrone Korte on September 11, 2007; an infant sister, Elizabeth; her twin sister, Aurelia M. Heinen on April 13, 2014; and siblings, Bernadine Sedlacek  and Wilfred Rennenger.

She is survived by two sons, Robert J. (Sharon) Niehues Jr. of Seneca and Stephen (Jody) Niehues of Topeka; two daughters, Wilma (Tom) Korte and Julie (Steve) Rottinghaus both of Seneca; sisters, Rosie Niehues and Alice Sedlacek both of Seneca; 14 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM on Friday, March 18, 2016 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in St. Bede’s Cemetery in Kelly. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM on Thursday, March 17th, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

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

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com