LaRae Wilhau Niehaus

Niehaus, LaRae Wilhau age 73, of Victoria, MN was surrounded by family when she went home to be with the Lord on October 12th after a brief battle with lung cancer. She was born December 17, 1936 in Marshalltown, IA and grew up on her family farm in Grundy Center, IA. It was there, in junior high school, that she met the love of her life and husband of 52 years, Don Niehaus. Together LaRae and Don raised their four children on Lotus Lake and eventually built their dream log home overlooking Lake Superior in Bayfield, Wisconsin. They spent over 35 years there creating everlasting memories with their children and grandchildren. LaRae's Christian faith led her to open her heart and home to many Cambodian refugee families and has influenced countless lives. Throughout her life, she enjoyed sailing, golfing, planning and planting her gardens, and travel. All of these activities encompassed her greatest passion, spending time with family and friends. LaRae was preceded in death by her mother and father, Lawrence and Raena Wilhau, in addition to her brother John Wilhau. LaRae is survived by her soul mate and best friend, Don and her four children Nan (Jim) Corwin, Stacy (Brian) Grandt, Tom (Nancy) Karls Niehaus, Loron (Brandy) Lor and 10 grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Lynne (Charles) Geer of Bellevue, WA and sister-in-law Sonja Wilhau of Grundy Center, IA. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2010 from 10:00-12:00 P.M. at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska. Memorials may be sent to Head of the Lakes YFC, 201 E First Street, Duluth, MN 55802. Please reference LaRae Niehaus Memorial Fund.

Published on October 17, 2010