Gretchen Niklaus Obituary (1944 - 2019)

Gretchen Niklaus, 74, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away May 2, 2019, in Bloomington, Illinois, with her family and friends by her side. She was born to the late Lyle and Kathryn (nee Haggard) Niklaus, June 4, 1944, in Bloomington, Illinois, residing with her parents, siblings and grandmother, Ada (Troster) Niklaus in Rural Farmer City. Gretchen graduated from Moore Township High School Farmer City in 1962. She studied nursing at Parkland College and received a BS in Occupational Education from Southern Illinois University, and a MA in Counseling from Webster University. Gretchen resided and practiced nursing as an RN in Albuquerque for many years. She is survived by two siblings: Ed Niklaus of Farmer City, Illinois, and Miriam (Mimi) Poppe of Albuquerque, New Mexico; two children, Jeff (Eileen) Howe of Lincolnshire, Illinois, and Brian (Gina) Howe of Lewis Center, Ohio. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Gretchen was immensely proud of her family and never met a stranger. She leaves behind many beautiful memories. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 9, 2019, at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Farmer City, Illinois. Her Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. also at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society of Central Illinois, 423 Kays Drive, Normal, Illinois 61761.