Josepha Emma (Niehues) Altenhofen, 95, passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Josepha was born March 23, 1925 on a farm southeast of Kelly, Kansas, the daughter of Bernard Sr. and Mary (Knipper) Niehues. She was the 12th of fifteen children. Josepha attended Kelly Grade School, graduated from Kelly High School in 1942, and attended 1 year at Mt. St. Scholastica College (now Benedictine College), Atchison, Kansas.

She worked for various families in Nemaha County, helping with housework and new babies for $10-15 a week.

She met Virgil G. Altenhofen at a monthly Kelly dance and after he served 4 years in the US Army Air Force during WW II, they married April 15, 1948 at St. Bede’s Catholic Church, Kelly.

They worked side by side, operating the Altenhofen Quality Oil Station in Kelly, until Virgil passed away unexpectedly in 1974. Josepha continued operating the service station until she retired in 1991. She was an excellent seamstress, gardener, and baker. She was well known for her decorated sugar cookies, homemade lemon pie, and beautifully decorated wedding cakes.

Josepha moved to Lincoln, NE in 2009 to be closer to her children. She was the “ace” Bingo and pitch player at the Assisted Living Center where she resided until getting ill.

Josepha was a hardworking, determined, and faithful person. Throughout her life, she had to make difficult adjustments and her faith has given her the strength to adapt to difficult circumstances and unwanted changes. After her husband died, Josepha sacrificed without hesitation to ensure both of her children completed college, one to become a veterinarian and the other a physical therapist.

When she suffered a mild stroke and needed to relocate to an assisted living facility, she embraced community life, becoming actively involved in card groups, exercise class, Bingo, and volunteering to work in the facility’s convenience store. In her spare time, she crocheted over 100 preemie blanket/hat sets for babies born at rest at Bryan Hospital. She prided herself in voting in every presidential election since 1944 (FDR vs. Dewey). And she always had a smile!

Josepha definitely lived with purpose and this past year stated “I can’t die yet as I have too many people to pray for”. She said 3 rosaries a day for everyone’s prayer intentions. She was a lifelong member of St. Bede’s Parish and St. Ann’s Altar Society, Kelly.

Josepha was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil (1974) , her mother Mary (1942) and father Bernard (1954), her brothers Bernard Jr., Albert, John, Robert, George, and Edwin and her sisters Agnes Niehues, Sr. Richardis Niehues, OSB, Anna Niehues, Alma Haverkamp, Margaret Boeckman, Evelyn Hutfles, and Erma Niehues and her best friend, Marietta Hodgens (2017).

Josepha is survived by her two children, Dr. Donald Altenhofen of Lincoln, NE and Marilyn (Dr. Paul) Dongilli of Lincoln, NE; Two grandchildren Sophia Dongilli (Fiancé Dr. Joseph Dougherty) of Omaha, NE and Dominic Dongilli of Iowa City, IA; A Sister, Antoinette Hermesch of San Antonio, TX.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 and 7 P.M. on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 A.M. on Friday, October 16, 2020 at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly, KS.

Masks and Social Distancing required at all services.

Memorials may be given in Josepha’s memory to St. Bede’s Catholic Church and sent in care of the family.

The Family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staffs at The Lexington Assisted Living Center, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, and CHI Hospice for their excellent care during the last years of Josepha’s life.

Lauer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .