Carol Niehaus

Carol H. Niehaus, age 90 of Melrose, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating and Rev. Vince Lieser concelebrating. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery. The Mass will be livestreamed, and the link can be found at: oneinfaith.org

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Carol Hilda Eveslage was born on June 3, 1935, in Freeport, Minnesota, to Ferdinand and Loretta (Storkamp) Eveslage. She excelled in school and proudly served as president of her graduating class.

Carol met the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Niehaus, while ice skating on King’s Lake. The two were married on August 17, 1954, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport, and together they took over the family farm north of Melrose. Their home was always open, and family and friends alike were welcomed warmly—no one ever left their table hungry!

While raising seven active children, Carol remained deeply involved in her church and community. She was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Christian Mothers, the Hospital Auxiliary, and the St. Mary’s Cemetery Board. After retiring from farm life, she worked for over 30 years at the local credit union.

Carol was especially beloved as “Grandma Carol” by the children of St. Mary’s School, where she volunteered in classrooms for more than 30 years and lovingly cared for the school’s flower garden. Her gift for gardening extended to her own farm, where her green thumb produced abundant harvests that she generously shared with others.

Carol and Tony deeply cherished their time at the cabin on Big Birch Lake, where their Sandy Beach lakeshore became a special place for family and friends to gather, share laughter, and create treasured summer memories. Above all, Carol’s heart was happiest when she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who meant everything to her.

She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Anthony “Tony” Niehaus; her children, Jeanne (Michael Howe), Anthony Jr. “Butch” (Mary), John (Mary), Bob (Deb), Allen (Sheryl), Julie Comfort (Jeff), and Jan Herke (Mick); 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren with another on the way; her brother, John Eveslage; and her sister, Kathy Eveslage.

Carol was preceded in death by her infant children, Ann Marie, Mary Jo, Thomas, and Mark; her parents, Ferdinand and Loretta Eveslage; her sisters, Bernadine Koetter, Mary Eveslage, and Elaine Hinnenkamp; and her brothers, Leo and Melvin “Bud” Eveslage.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Mary’s School Education Endowment Fund in Melrose, MN.