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Gary Niehaus Obituary
West Des Moines - Gary Lynn Niehaus passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Templeton, Iowa, the son of Earl and Jeanne (Fox) Niehaus on March 29, 1959. Gary attended Kuemper Catholic High School, Iowa State University, and Palmer College of Chiropractic. He graduated in March 1983 with a Doctorate in Chiropractic. While attending Iowa State University, Gary met his one and only love, Mary Culliton. They were united in marriage on April 30, 1983, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Bettendorf, Iowa.
Gary was a chiropractor for 36 years, with a practice in West Des Moines. He enjoyed getting to know his patients and their families and considered all of them as friends. The practice was managed by Kim Young for 28 years, and she became a special friend of the entire Niehaus family. Gary was an avid Cyclone fan and loved all things Iowa State. He has been attending Iowa State football games for decades and loved to tailgate with family and friends. Gary was well-known for late night Dairy Queen runs, vacations with extended family members, crazy socks and ties, Christmas decorations, and a laugh that will be missed by all.
Gary is survived by his wife, Mary, and their children, Thomas (Joby) of Nashville, TN, and Michael of Des Moines, IA; siblings Sandra Rose and Sherry Engelen, and many nieces and nephews who were very special to him. He was proceeded in death by his father, Earl; mother, Jeanne; father-in-law, Edward Culliton, mother-in-law, Beatrice Culliton; and niece, Mary Kate Zittergruen.
A visitation will be held at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines on Monday, September 16, 2019, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., concluding with a rosary prayer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to MercyOne Foundation or St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Niehaus
Sponsored by the Des Moines Register.
Cindy Mackey
September 18, 2019
To Gary, strangers were just friends he hadn't met yet. He graced us all with his joy for life! Our hearts grieve with Mary, Tommy and Michael at his passing. Please know that you are all very special to us!
The Mackey Family
Mike Watne
September 16, 2019
Mary and family, sorry to hear of Gary's passing. To say he was a great guy is an understatement. I always enjoyed talking to Gary during my appts. Also, I remember Gary would come to Boatman's Bank to see Mary and re-arrange my desk just to get my reaction. Such a contagious laugh and always smiling. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Dean Bluml
September 16, 2019
I was proud to know Gary.
Brian Blauw
September 16, 2019
Please accept our deepest sympathies and condolences. Gary will forever be in our hearts and memories. We cherish the many memories we made during our hockey seasons.
David Johnson
September 16, 2019
Gary was a special person and he shared that gift to all his family, friends and patients. It was easy to see the love he had for all his family and how proud he was of each of them just as it was easy to see that Kim was part of that family. I will miss that special laugh and great adjustments, prayers and thoughts to all. He will be missed by all!
September 16, 2019
I will miss him dearly. His jokes and his ability to find just the right spot to adjust whether you wanted him to or not.
God be with you, and your family and Kim.
See you in Heaven!
Craig Nordyke
September 15, 2019
I met Gary when I took my mother Rosemary to see Gary for treatment. She has been gone a few years but would be heartbroken at Gary's passing. I agree that Gary treated his patients as family and my mother considered Gary and Kim as close friends. My deepest condolences to the family. I know many people will miss Gary.
Karen Mitchell
September 15, 2019
My condolences to the Niehaus family and Kim. It was a pleasure to have met this fun and fun-loving man and hearing his stories of family activities while he worked on my back. He will be missed.
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