Merita Niebuhr, 18 Sep 1915 - 14 Jan 2008

NIEBUHR, MERCK

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 1/16/2008 at 11:15:57

- Mireta L. Niebuhr, 92, of Windmill Manor, Coralville, passed away peacefully on the evening of Jan. 14, 2008. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church by the Rev. Jonathan Offt. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Mireta was born Sept. 18, 1915, in Guernsey, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church and graduated from Guernsey High School. Mireta married William C. Niebuhr on Jan. 16, 1938. They farmed in the Blairstown area and lived in Des Moines before moving to Cedar Rapids in 1956. They were "Day One-ers" with Life Investors Insurance Co./AEGON and enjoyed many international and national trips with the company. Mireta was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Mary Martha Guild. Her interests included oil painting, photography, sewing, gardening and all activities of her family. She appreciated the performing arts, music and Hawkeye basketball and was well known for her witty one-liners.

She was a wonderful mother to her five children, who survive her: Gary Niebuhr of Los Angeles, Calif., Jean and Bob Ross of Santa Fe, N.M., Jim and Diane Niebuhr of Iowa City, Bill and Peggy Niebuhr of Streator, Ill., and Joyce Niebuhr of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by grandchildren, Jeremy Niebuhr of Miamisburg, Ohio, Katie Niebuhr and Jamie Niebuhr of Iowa City, Wendy and Michael Buttacy of Springfield, Mo., Anna Niebuhr and Billy Niebuhr of Streator, Ill.; great-grandchild, Jordan Niebuhr of Hamilton, Ohio; sister, Verna Belle Schmidt of Princeton, Ill.; brother, Marvin Merck of Anamosa, Iowa; and devoted friend, David Bolt of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Esther Merck; her brother, Lawrence Merck; and husband, Bill.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all of her caregivers at Bickford Cottage, Windmill Manor, and the Palliative Care Unit at University Hospitals.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Cedar Rapids Gazette, 16 Jan 2008, 4b