Owen Niermeyer

OWEN LEE NIERMEYER

Cedar Rapids

Owen Lee Niermeyer, 81, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Clarence, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, at Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion of farmer's lung/pulmonary fibrosis. Funeral services will be held at St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence at 11 a.m. Saturday,

Dec. 2, with the Rev. Matt Schneider-Adams and the Rev. Dennis Morley officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.

Owen was born in the family farmhouse in rural Clarence on Aug. 3, 1936, to Erwin and Lois (Ebert) Niermeyer. He was married to Shirley McClelland of Cedar Rapids at St. John's in Clarence on April 18, 1964. He was a lifelong member of St. John's, but attended Calvin Sinclair Presbyterian in Cedar Rapids.

He graduated from Clarence High School in 1954 and farmed until 1981, except for serving in the Army from 1958 to 1960 during which time he was a medic in Fort Lewis, Wash. He then worked for Hunwardsen Construction until 1999 when they moved to Cedar Rapids. Owen continued his carpentry work in Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; daughter, Diane (Al) Benesh of Marion, and their children, Cody, Ryan and Travis; son, Daniel (friend Dee) of Cedar Rapids, and his children, Justin (friend Bethany, and her son, Chase), Jessika (Calvin Jeardeau) and Brody; son, Ronald (Melissa) of Ankeny, and their son, Benjamin; brother, Kent (Julie Rae) Niermeyer of Waupaca,

Wis.; sister, Pat (David) Dewell of Lowden; brother, Robert (Janet) Niermeyer of Clarence; great-grandson, Kayden Niermeyer; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Owen enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, bowling, metal detecting and watching all sports.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be sent to www.chapmanfh.com.