Frances Marie (Puhlmann) Nies was born on May 12, 1916 to William Fredrich and Augusta Caroline (Hitzke) Puhlmann on the family homestead in McIntosh County near Ashley, North Dakota. She was the youngest of eight children, five boys and three girls. She grew up in the Lutheran faith and was baptized on November 19, 1916 and was confirmed in June 1930. She grew up on the farm and had formal schooling through the eighth grade.
She loved the farm and her mother taught her to garden, cook, bake, and crochet. She also had a good farm dog and pony and liked to ride out to check the cows.
On November 26, 1936 she married Reuben Nies in Ashley, North Dakota and two sons were born to their union, Gerald and Darrold. They farmed for 36 years and went to the Johannestal Baptist (country) Church, where they were active members. She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and was a faithful member of the Women?s Missionary Fellowship, holding many offices. In 1968 they became members of the Eureka Baptist Church and were active there as well.
In 1972 they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she worked at Sioux Valley Hospital for 6 years and really enjoyed the work there.
In 1976 they moved back to Eureka to retire and she picked back up with activities there: Hospital Auxiliary, Extension sewing club, church, etc. Her hobbies were: listening to Christian music, reading the Bible, crocheting, gardening, canning, cooking, baking and most of all she loved entertaining family and friends that would stop by.
She had six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and had a great love for children. Her family was her pride and joy. In 1997 she moved to Auburn, Nebraska to be near her remaining son and his family and enjoyed going to activities of her granddaughters. In June 2002, due to failing health, she entered the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Center and thrived there for nine and half years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, her beloved husband, Reuben, in 1995, her sons-Gerald in 1992 and Darrold in 2003, and daughter-in-law, Myra.
She is mourned by her daughter-in-law, Linda Nies, Auburn, NE; her granddaughters: Abby & Marc Stukenholtz, NE; Kim & Scott Martin, AZ; Sara Nies, AZ. Her grandsons: Paul Nies & Christi, Jeff Nies and John Nies. Great-grandchildren: Lainey, Kyleigh, & Riley Stukenholtz; Alexis and Connor Martin; and Caleb, Hailey, & Isaiah Nies. She has much extended family, many nieces and nephews, that also mourn her passing.
Funeral services will be Thursday, January 5, 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Eureka,SD. Burial will follow in the Eureka Cemetery. Family will greet friends at the Lien-Straub Funeral Home in Eureka Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the Good Samaritan Society.