After a rich and fulfilling life, Leone Antoinette Niehaus passed away on June 5, 2012. She was 98. A prayer vigil for Leone will take place at 6pm, Thursday, June 7, at Hooper & Weaver Mortuary in Nevada City, CA. Her funeral will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 8, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grass Valley. Burial service follows at St. Patrick’s cemetary. A reception will then be held at Emmanuel Episcopal’s Frank Buck Hall.
Leone was born on March 8, 1914, in Sauk Center, Minnesota. In 1936, she married Theodore B. Niehaus and they flew to California where Ted was employed as a ranger with the U.S. Forest Service. They lived in Quincy and Challenge before settling in Grass Valley in 1946.
Leone was active in her church, serving as charter president of Our Lady of Grace #206, Young Ladies Institute. Later, she was named “Woman of the Year” by the Catholic Diocece of Sacramento. She was a charter member of Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary. After graduating with the first LVN class at Sierra College, Leone pursued a nursing career at SNMH.
Leone loved outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping and golf. Leone had a green thumb and was an accomplished watercolorist. She enjoyed preparing great picnics and lovingly made cinnamon rolls every Sunday. Her outstanding fried chicken and potato salad will be fondly remembered.
Leone was active in many other clubs and organizations including Toastmasters and the Mr. & Mrs. Dance Club. Adevoted mother, she raised five children, finding time to be a Girl Scout and 4H leader.
She and her husband were world travelers. They visited most of North America and Europe, as well as the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and Central America.
Leone is survived by her children, sons Ted Jr., Richard (Mary Regina), Jim (Marlene), and daughter Mary Ann (Bob) Crabb; grandchildren Eli, Heather, Chad, and Clayton; and great-grandchildren Sophie and Oscar. She was preceded in death by her husband Ted and daughter Rosalie.
The passing of Leone marks the end of a ten year odyssey for Mary Ann and me, beginning in 2002 when my father became unable to care for himself. We have cared for my dad, who passed away in 2004, my mother, who passed away in 2008 and now Mary Ann’s mother through their declining years with as much dignity and love as we were able to give. It has been rewarding, and an education in what lies ahead for all of us eventually. The world has passed from their generation into ours. We are both orphans now.
Sorry for your loss. I will pray for all.
So sorry to read this, Bob. But then again, through your words and your care, your love for them is obvious and heartwarming. My best to you and your wife.
Sincerest condolences to you and Mary Ann . Not everyone is as fortunate as Leone, to have such caring and devoted children, who worked so very hard to keep her comfortable in her convalescence and who were there to assure her a golden passage.
Bless your hearts, and hers.
What a wonderful woman Leone was! I am honored that I was able to meet her before her health declined, and to sit with her in her convalescence. My deepest sympathies to you and Mary Ann.
Dear Mary Ann & Bob,
Years ago, I believe I was privileged enough to dig onto one of Leones’ C-rolls. It still lingers on me palate:-).
I was blessed to be able to ‘see after’ my dear old Dad for his final 5 years. I got to know him as I never had before. I know that it is the way it should be and both of you know what I’m talking about.
My condolences to you both. We are indeed orphan’s now.
Bob, I am saddened by your family’s loss.
In time, may you rejoin them all in the Great Tree of Life, as you understand it. mom for us passed away two years ago, also at 98. http://www.flickr.com/photos/keachie/443156534/