Donald Eugene Niegsch
With Great Sadness, We Announce the loss of our dad, Donald Eugene Niegsch. The Lord took him home on February 19, 2023.
He was born April 3, 1930 in Chicopee, KS to Charles and Lillian (Swift) Niegsch. Growing up, he helped with his dad's grocery store, which was up and running in Chicopee from 1906 until 1957. At 14 years old, he then went to work on railroad locomotives. Later on, he retired from General Motors after 30 years. He always made lots of suggestions and got lots of awards for his work. He had business cards for pruning, lawn maintenance, and handyman work for remodeling. Eventually, he retired from lawn care at Lake of the Forest in Bonner Springs, KS.
Donald loved his family and had lots of friends. In 1951 he was married to Jo Ann (Clark) from Kansas City, KS, and together they had two daughters. She preceded him in death in 2017. Donald was a loving caretaker to his last wife, Shirley (Ward), from Grant, MO, for five years before her passing. She preceded him in death in 2005 at their home in Bonner Springs, KS, where they lived for 27 years.
Donald loved gardening, fishing, camping, hunting, and traveling in his RV. He made and sold many homemade items, such as chimes, dollhouses, furniture, and more.
Donald is survived by two daughters, Claudine Maria of Kansas City, MO, and Donna Jo of Topeka, KS; Claudine's son and his wife; Donna Jo's three daughters and one son; 10 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert in Karney, MO; a sister, Lillian in California; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed.
He is predeceased by his parents and 11 siblings.
Donald spent his last eight years in Delmar Gardens Nursing Home of Overland Park, KS. He had light dementia and had become ill his last few months. Sorry to say there was no funeral service; he was cremated.
We are arranging to have Donald and his parents on the memorial fund plaque at the Chicopee Community Center. This was a St. Barbara's Catholic church where Donald was an altar boy. The church is still well-kept and just as beautiful as in the early 1900s. Donations may be sent to the Chicopee Foundation, P.O. Box 593, Pittsburg, KS 66762
Dad, you will be missed, but your happy face is a memory. We know you are at a place with the Lord, and we'll meet again. Roman 12:12.
We love you, Dad.
Deenie and Donna Jo
