Edward Niehaus

Edward H. "Ed" Niehaus, age 86, of Melrose, died on Sunday, February 1, 2009 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, February 4 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Ken Thielman officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 6 p.m. followed by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Edward Niehaus was born on March 27, 1922 in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Joseph and Agnes (Wessel) Niehaus. He attended District 187 and graduated from Melrose High School in 1940. After graduation, he went to California and worked in the ship yards. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 serving aboard the USS Picking DD685. After WWII, he was a signal maintainer for the S.P. Railroad until his retirement in 1984. He made his home in Melrose until July 2008 when he moved to Park View in Melrose.He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, a life member of Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 and the American Legion Post 101. Religion was very important to Ed. He enjoyed playing cards, helping at the farm, selling sweet corn, and spending time at Big Birch Lake. He enjoyed his family, especially his nieces and nephews, and never forgot their birthdays.

Survivors include his siblings, Anthony (Carol) Niehaus of Melrose, Mae (Lawrence) Wiechmann of Melrose, Alquin Niehaus of San Francisco, CA, and Hildie Joyer of Sacramento, CA; sisters-in-law, Rita Niehaus and Leone Niehaus; many nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joe, Ted, and Albert Niehaus; sisters, Sr. Inez, OSF, Sr. Venard, OSF, Sr. Helen, OSF, and Ens. Julietta Niehaus.

Serving as casket bearers will be Tom Wiechmann, Judy Beuning, Joseph Niehaus, Anthony Niehaus Jr., Allen Niehaus, and John Niehaus. Cross bearer will be Julie Niehaus Comfort and scripture bearer will be John Joyer. Mass servers will be Grant Niehaus and Aaron Wiechmann. Readers will be Jeanne Niehaus and Eileen Niehaus. Gift bearers will be Jan Herke, Margo Niehaus, and Mary Jo Katz.