MARSHFIELD -- Willard A. "Willie" Niehaus, 81, of Marshfield, died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday morning, Nov. 5, 2009, at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, in Marshfield. The Rev. Donald Meuret will officiate and Cathy Heuer will be the organist. Burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Rembs Funeral Home and from 10:30 a.m. until service time Monday at Our Lady of Peace Church. A combined parish and Knights of Columbus rosary service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Willie was born May 10, 1928, in Marshfield, the son of Joseph and Leta (Mason) Niehaus. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart Parochial School and Marshfield Senior High School. He later received an Associate Degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.

He married Dorothy M. Hustedt on Aug. 1, 1949, at St. John's Catholic Church. The Niehaus' recently observed 60 years of marriage.

As a young man he worked at his parents grocery store on East Fourth Street in Marshfield. He then began working at Marshfield Milling Company which later became Prince Corporation for over thirty years until his retirement.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, The Holy Name Society, and was an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus John Eisen Council No. 1799. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, painting, wood working, spending time at the cabin and most importantly spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and by their children, Pat (Rick) Hughes of Golden, Colo., Jim (Bev) Niehaus of Eagle River, Jane Niehaus of Marshfield, Steve (Alice) Niehaus of Marshfield, Tom (Karen) Niehaus of Marshfield, Brian (Kim) Niehaus of Cannon Falls, Minn., Sandy (Paul) Hughes of Hudson, Jeff (Rhonda) Niehaus of Muskego, and Tammy (Bob) Koontz of Medford. He is also survived by grandchildren, Terrance, Lisa, Corrie, Ryan, Kristen, Kari, Ben, Tim, Alyssa, Kyle, Brice, Chad, Katie, Sean, Patrick, Ashley, Samantha, Joshua, Sydney, Lindsay, and Kylee and great grandchildren, Evan, Austin, Tessa and Geevee. He is further survived by two sisters, Carol Kusch of Muskego and Virginia (Floyd) Plautz of Greenwood and by many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Donald Niehaus and a son Paul Niehaus.

In lieu of flowers the family will designate a memorial in Willie's name. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.