Thelma A. Niehaus left this world to meet with her Lord and Savior Saturday October 24, 2020 at St Francis in Cape Girardeau with her son and his wife by her side. Thelma was born to Elmer C. and Maudie Schrader Ludwig in Risco MO on February 1, 1940. She was one of twelve beautiful children. She grew up and graduated from Risco High School and attended two years at SEMO 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.
She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Dexter MO. 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.
Our Sweet Thelma is survived by her son Paul and his wife Glenda Niehaus. Four granddaughters April (Sam) Craig, Ashlee (TJ) Ringling, Kortnee (Sam) Goodman and Hayley Niehaus. Her 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, Georgianna Ludwig. Her brother Arlin Ludwig. One sister in law Marilyn (Jeanette) Ludwig. And numerous nieces and nephews.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Walter, her parents Elmer and Maudie Ludwig, her in laws Henry and Sophia Niehaus, siblings Elmer Jr. Ludwig, Maxine Goodwin, Schrader Ludwig, Anna Joyce, Robert (Bob) Ludwig, Norman (Sonny) Ludwig and one other brother and sister who both died at birth.
We’d like to thank the amazing people at Central Gardens in Dexter for the care they provided our Thelma for the past five years. We also thank the doctors and nurses at St Francis for taking great care of her the last week of her life. Thank you! You’ll never know how much we appreciate all of you.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, November 1, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. 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.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
