Carol Niehues, 69, of Sabetha, Kansas, died on Thursday, May 23, 2024, surrounded by family and friends, at the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha.

Carol was born on October 3, 1954, in Seneca, Kansas, the daughter of Jacob C. Krotzinger and Eva I. (Luginbill) Krotzinger. She graduated from Nemaha Valley High School in 1972. During high school, Carol worked at Bob's Sirloin Room in Seneca. As a young girl, Carol enjoyed friends, family, and music, and she was in the school band and choir as well as the church choir.

After high school, Carol started LPN school in Manhattan, Kansas. Then, she lived in Topeka, Kansas, where she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for Stormont Vail Hospital. After returning to Seneca, Carol worked at the hospital in Seneca. Carol met and fell in love with Michael R. Niehues, and they were married on July 15, 1978. They resided in Seneca where they managed a local restaurant, The Huddle. After the birth of their two sons, Jacob and Brian, the family moved to Sabetha.

While living in Sabetha, Carol worked as a CNA and Dietary Aide at the Apostolic Christian Home. She also worked as a Dietary Aide at the Apostolic Christian Retirement Village with her good friend, Sheri Lay. Carol loved and had a passion for working with the elderly and those patients with Alzheimer- disease. In 2006, Carol- family moved to Baldwin City, Kansas where she worked as a Dietary Aide for Vintage Park. In Baldwin City, Carol was a member of the Church of Christ. In 2007, after the death of her husband, Michael, Carol moved back to Sabetha where she remained until her death. Carol was a member of the Sabetha Church of Christ.

Carol loved to cook and bake and she shared these talents with others. She especially loved baking for Christmas and making Christmas plates for family and friends, which was a family tradition that she learned as a child. Carol also enjoyed her local sports teams, especially the Royals, and she rarely missed watching a Royals game. Most of all, Carol loved her family and her friends. Her early morning coffee at Buzz Café with her best friend, Debbie Painter, and the “Coffee Gals” was always special to her. Carol always wanted to be surrounded by her children and grandchildren, and she talked with each of them every day.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Michael, on July 9, 2007; her three brothers, Lyle, Charles, and Jimmy Krotzinger; and her dear friend, Diana Mitchell, whom she considered a sister.

Carol is survived by her son, Jake Niehues of Sabetha and his three sons, Jacob, Jack and Jonah; her son, Brian Niehues of Sabetha and his two sons, Nathan and Jonathon, and his daughter, Eva; her daughter, Hannah (Dustin) Dettwyler of Sabetha and their son, Jase, and daughter, Harper; her daughter, Katherine (Anthony) Enneking of Sabetha and their unborn son who is due in November; her two sisters, Diane Hermesch of Sabetha and Marcia Krotzinger of Seneca; her nieces and nephews; and her many friends.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sabetha Church of Christ in Sabetha. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Sabetha Church of Christ. The interment will be made in the Albany Cemetery, north of Sabetha. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sabetha Church of Christ sent in care of the Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, Kansas 66534. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.popkessmortuaries.com.