Lorene Louise Sophie Niehaus, 17 Feb 1919 - 20 Apr 2014

NIEHAUS, CLEFISCH, LEWIN, DOEHRMANN, SWENSON, LABAY, BECKER, DAVIS, CHICKERING, SCHAVE

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 5/7/2014 at 15:07:28

Lorene Niehaus
Williamsburg formerly of Guttenberg Iowa

Visitation: Thursday 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. April 24, 2014 at the Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home Guttenberg, Iowa and one hour before service at church.

Funeral Service: Friday 11:00 A.M. April 25, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church Guttenberg, Iowa

Graveside Service: following services April 25, 2014 at
Interment: St. John's Cemetery rural Guttenberg Iowa

Lorene Louise Sophie(Clefisch)Niehaus was born February 17, 1919, the youngest of four children, to William and Leona (Lewin) Clefisch on the family farm at Cedar Creek in rural Guttenberg, IA. She passed away Easter Sunday April 20, 2014, at Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg IA.

Lorene was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Elkport, IA, and in June of 1932, Lorene was confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Garnavillo. Lorene began her schooling at age 4 in the Volga Township District #5 country school (Clayton County, IA) for grades 1-8. She graduated from the Guttenberg High School in 1935 at age 16, the youngest student in her graduating class. After graduation in 1937, Lorene began work as a bookkeeper at Bladon Motors in Janesville, Wis.

Lorene married Irvin G. Niehaus on November 8, 1939, at St. John Lutheran Church in Guttenberg.

Lorene held leadership roles in her children’s school as PTA president. Lorene was also very active in her church, St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Dubuque, IA, from 1945 – 1975. During this time she served as president of the St. Matthew Lutheran Women of the Church.

In 1976 she retired from William C. Brown Publishing Company after 15 years as bookkeeper and assistant office manager. Lorene and Irvin then moved to Guttenberg and transferred their church membership to St. John Lutheran Church where she was a member of the first Endowment Committee, the first Altar Guild Committee, Dorcas Circle, assistant church treasurer, and for 20 years worked on quilts for the Lutheran World Relief.

For 24 years (1978-2002) she held the position as secretary of the Pioneer Rock Church Association in Ceres, IA. Lorene was always ready to provide transportation for friends to doctor appointments, shopping, or eating out. Her family and friends cherish her talents in the handcrafted items she sewed and crocheted. Most impressive were the many wall hangings of “The Lord’s Prayer” and the Lord’s Supper that she crocheted with #50 (very fine) thread.

Lorene is survived by three children, JoAnne (Don) Doehrmann of Williamsburg IA, Nancy Swenson of Hallettsville, TX, William (Kay) Niehaus of Bardstown, KY; daughter in law, Zoila Niehaus of Chula Vista, CA, six grandchildren, Carla (Stephen) Swenson Labay of Lakeway, TX, Samuel Swenson of Austin, TX, Gary (Susan) Doehrmann of Waverly, IA, Connie (Richard) Doehrmann Becker of Neshkoro, Wis, Robin (Tammie) Niehaus of Chula Vista, CA, Angie (Brad) Niehaus Davis of Foster City, CA; seven great grandchildren; godchild, Judy (Schave) Chickering and many other relatives and friends.

Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Irvin Niehaus (1991); son Russell Niehaus; three siblings, Sidney Clefisch, Virgil Clefisch, Lenora Clefisch Schave; one godchild, Verla Jean Clefisch.

In Lieu of flowers and all types of sympathy memorials may be given in Lorene’s name to Pioneer Rock Church, Ceres, Iowa, St. John’s Cemetery or St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home Guttenberg, Iowa
The Gazette, 23 Apr 2014 (Abbreviated)