Werner Joseph Niehues

Werner Joseph Niehues, 95, of San Angelo passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at Shannon Medical Center.

Rosary will be recited Tuesday, October 25 in St. Boniface Catholic Church in Olfen, Texas at 7:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Boniface Catholic Church at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Burial will follow in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.

Werner was born July 5, 1916 in Olfen, Texas, the youngest of seven children, to Bernard John Niehues and Amalia Elizabeth Matthiesen Niehues, pioneer settlers of the Olfen community. Werner attended school and church in Olfen, and briefly attended school in Ballinger. He was a Boy Scout and later a charter member of the Knights of Columbus St. Boniface Counsel 2772, and he also served on many church and school committees.

During World War II, as the only male on the family farm, he obtained a farming exemption to raise food and fiber. He married Willie Mae Schwertner on January 27, 1942 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rowena. They lived on the Niehues home place in Olfen and later bought the adjoining farm, where they raised their five children.

Werner retired from farming after the untimely death of Willie Mae in 1983. In May of 1992 he married Ruby Hoelscher Matschek and together they moved to San Angelo.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Willie Mae, by brothers Arthur and Walter, and sisters, Adela Hoelscher, Alma Hirt, Leona Franke, and Olga Hoelscher.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby, of the home; by sons Denis and wife, Linda; Kenneth and wife, Carol, all of San Angelo; daughters, Joan Campbell and husband, Forrest, of San Antonio; Doris Siebold and husband, Lynwood, of Spring Branch; and Cindy Stout and husband, Ralph, of San Angelo. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren and l9 great-grandchildren (and one on the way), as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Other survivors include step-sons, Kenneth Matschek of San Angelo; Ralph Matschek and wife, Ruby, of Wall; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Werner was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed his stock tank with its catfish, where children and grandchildren spent many happy hours. He didn’t seem to mind when they crawled on his hay bales on the farm. He loved working with his hands, and he made and gave rosaries to his children and grandchildren. He was also a very good woodworker, enjoying that hobby when time allowed. We shall long cherish his memory.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Matthiesen Seminary Burse, c/o St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1118 CR 234, Rowena, Texas 76875, or to a charity of choice.