Tom E Niehus

Tom E. Niehus, age 85, of Le Grand and formerly of Marshalltown, passed away Monday, July 20, 2020 at UnityPoint Health – Grinnell Regional Medical Center.  Cremation rites have been accorded and a celebration of life will take place for Tom at a later date.  He and his family are being cared for by Mitchell Family Funeral Home.  A memorial fund is being established by the family.  For additional questions or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Born Tom E. Niehus on July 16, 1935 in Bridgeport, Nebraska, he was the son of Jack and Sammy (Perkins) Niehus.  He graduated from Fremont High School in 1953 and went on to attend college at the University of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Tom honorably served his country in the Navy Reserves for three years. On May 6, 1956 in Fremont, Nebraska, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marilyn J. Johnson.  Together they raised their 5 children.  Tom and Marilyn had the joy of celebrating 64 years of marriage this year. Tom owned several businesses over his lifetime.  He had a drive-in “car hop” restaurant called The Patio, Tom’s Cue & Brew and 8th Ave Laundromat.  He also worked as a supervisor doing railroad emergency cleanup for Berg Corp. He literally “put the trains back on the track.” In his free time, Tom enjoyed running heavy equipment, especially Bobcat work.  He kept busy fixing up houses and reselling them and buying and selling cars.  He loved fishing in South Dakota, Florida and Holiday Lake. Left to cherish is memory is his wife Marilyn; his children Susan (Kermit) Culver of Madison, TN, Linda (Mike) Scott of Green River, WY, Nancy (Phil) Otto of Overland Park, KS, Mark Niehus of Le Grand, IA and Kate (Scott) Colclasure of Sarasota, FL; “special daughter” Janell (Mark) Austin of Marshalltown, IA; 9 grandkids; 2 great-grandkids; and sister Sandi Ahlquist of Morrison, CO. Tom is preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Lloyd and Thelma Johnson; and brother-in-law Don Johnson.