Ralph C. Niehus, 99, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society of Le Mars.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 25, 2025 at All Saints Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars with Reverend Doug Klein officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Rosary immediately following all on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home of Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 or All Saints Parish in Le Mars.

Ralph Charles Niehus was born on March 26, 1926 in Alton, IA to Andrew and Adeline (Wolbers) Niehus. He grew up in Alton and attended St. Mary's Academy until the 8th grade. Their family then moved to Oyens, IA, and he attended Le Mars Central High School. Ralph enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Japan during WWII. After his honorable discharge, he moved back to Oyens and began working with his father at Niehus Trucking.

Ralph met Jean Kunkel on a Sunday after church in Oyens. They were later wed at St. Catherine's Catholic Church on May 24, 1949. Jean and Ralph made their home on a farm near Oyens. Ralph farmed full-time growing crops and raising livestock: hogs, cattle, dairy cows, and chickens. He also did some part-time work trucking limestone.  Jean and Ralph retired and moved into Le Mars in 1988. Ralph continued to help his sons Randy and Curt on the farm for many years and you could always find him listening to the radio farm reports. He also worked part time driving cars for Nuebel Chevrolet.

Ralph was a member of the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 in Le Mars, the Plymouth Co-op Oil board, and the Oyens Elevator board. He was a long-time member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church and later joined All Saints Parish – St. Joseph in Le Mars where he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ralph enjoyed playing cards at both the American Legion and Knights of Columbus halls. He and Jean took many bus trips in their retirement and made a weekly date night of going to the casino followed by supper. In his younger years, Ralph enjoyed going fishing.

Ralph is survived by five children and their spouses: Chuck (Dora) Niehus of Lyons, CO, Dale (Linda) Niehus of Overland Park, KS, Randy (Linda) Niehus of Le Mars, IA, Jane (Kevin) VanWyhe of Le Mars, IA, and Curt Niehus of Le Mars, IA; grandchildren: Candi (Bill) Steel, Jami Gleason, Derek (Erin) Niehus, Kristin (Raj) Desai, Shaun (Alexandria) Niehus, Kyle (Kari) Niehus, Brett (Kenzie) Niehus, Tyler (Haley Stinton) Niehus, Kelly (Lexi Cameron) Niehus, Cory (Socorra Rol)  Niehus, Andrew VanWyhe, Caleb VanWyhe, Chad (Hilary) Niehus, Andrea (Jeremy) Langel, and Caitlyn Niehus; 32 great-grandchildren; sister, Donna Frerichs of Le Mars; sister in law, Betty Niehus of Sioux City, IA; several nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jean (Kunkel) Niehus; brothers: Doyle (Vi) Niehus, Jim (Helen) Niehus, and Pat Niehus; sisters: Kay (Steven) Theeler and Lavonne Niehus.