Veronica Niehaus Obituary

Veronica L. Niehaus of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died Thursday July 18, 2024, at Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center.

Mass of Christian burial was held at 11 a.m. on Monday July 22, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, MN with a 10 a.m. visitation beforehand at the church.

The clergy was Father Thomas Niehaus and Father Mark Niehaus. Burial took place in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Ivanhoe, MN. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye, MN. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com

Veronica Louise Saftig was born on Oct. 16, 1937. at Mercy Hospital in Burlington, to Fred Edward and Hilda O. (Meller) Saftig. She was baptized, received First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. John's Catholic Church in Burlington.

She graduated from Burlington Public High School in 1954, earned an associate of arts degree from Burlington Community College in 1956 and a bachelor of science degree in elementary art education from Iowa State Teacher's College (University of Northern Iowa) in 1958. She taught elementary art in the Boone Public School District.

On June 20, 1959 she married Melvin James Niehaus at St. John's Catholic Church in Burlington. They began their married life together and raised their family in Madison, MN, Moose Lake, MN and in Ivanhoe, MN, all places where Melvin worked for the United States Soil Conservation Service as a soil scientist.

After Melvin's passing in 1998, Veronica moved to Sleepy Eye to be closer to members of the Schoenstatt Marian Movement. Veronica was very involved in her Catholic faith and embraced a life of prayer and life-long education in the teachings of the Church.

She volunteered in a variety of capacities for the parishes where she lived including: Schoenstatt Mother's league, Pro Life leader with Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life, choir member, Council of Catholic Women, faith formation teacher, sacristan, candle custodian, church decorator, census taker, Seven Sister's Apostolate, Eucharistic Adorer, rosary leader, election judge, Next-Tu-New-2 thrift store and parish outreach to the homebound.

In 1996 she was awarded the Diocese of New Ulm Bishop's Medal of Service. Veronica dedicated her life to fulfilling her God given vocation as a wife and mother by raising her children and serving the needs of her husband and family.

Veronica was a very creative person and enjoyed sharing her creativity with others.

Some of her interests included family and local history, pulling weeds, riding bike, crossword puzzles, scrabble, banana grams, jeopardy, and staying connected to current events. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Veronica is survived by her children Sr. M. Deanne Niehaus of Sleepy Eye, Rebecca (Louis) Hall of Mendota Heights, MN, David Niehaus of Happy Valley, OR, Fr. Mark Niehaus of Madison, WI and Fr. Thomas Niehaus of Bemidji, MN, six grandchildren Benjamin (Alayna) Hall, Rachel (David) Hamilton, Gemma Hall, Louisa Hall, Lizzy Hall and Teddy Hall and three great-grandsons Isaac Hall, Micah Hall, and Augustine Hamilton, as well as sisters in law Barbara Niehaus and Delores Anderson and brother-in-law Larry Niehaus.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, an infant sister Phyllis Saftig, brother Loren Saftig, and son Fr. Jonathan Niehaus.

Blessed be her memory!