Bonnie M. (Herath) Niehus

Bonnie M. (Herath) Niehus, 74, of Galesburg, Illinois died unexpectedly Tuesday, December 16, 2014 in Galesburg Cottage Hospital after a brief illness.

She was born December 23, 1939 in Joliet, Illinois, the daughter of Donald F. and Jean L. (McAllister) Herath.  She married Edward L. Niehus, her high school sweetheart, on September 19, 1961 in Plainfield, Illinois.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Edward; a son, Hans Niehus of West Branch, Iowa; a daughter, Karla (and Eric Staab) Niehus of Kalamazoo, Michigan; two grandchildren, Liam Niehus-Staab and Kyra Niehus-Staab; and a sister, June Leggett of Russellville, Arkansas.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Frank E. Herath; and a sister, Holly Gard.  Also surviving are many relatives in the McAllister, Herath, and Niehus families.

Bonnie grew up and attended school in Plainfield, graduating from high school in 1958 and from the Copley School of Nursing, Aurora, Illinois in 1961. She supplemented her education with coursework at Aurora College, Univ. of Minnestota, and Knox College. She served as a registered nurse at hospitals in Champaign and Minneapolis where her husband was attending graduate school. Moving to Galesburg in 1968, she continued nursing at St. Mary’s Hospital and the Knox College Health Service.  Bonnie later worked as a research assistant to the Galesburg City Manager and as a teacher at the Community Nursery School.  In her years before retirement in 2000 she found great satisfaction as a Special Collections Supervisor in the Knox College Library.

Bonnie especially enjoyed working with children and teens.  Her work in nursing and education was largely involved with nurturing and assisting young people. For her children and grandchildren, Bonnie was a loving and generous companion and a model who supported and guided them in all of their endeavors. As an accomplished gardener and handywoman, Bonnie delighted in working with her family on projects in the house and yard. And with her family, she traveled extensively around the globe. She loved to share meals, books, and movies with family and friends. Always eager to help friends and neighbors, she was affectionately  known by many of them as “Sweet Bonnie.”

Cremation has been accorded.  There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Seymour Union, Knox College, 2 E. South Street, Galesburg, Illinois.  Memorial contributions in Bonnie’s name may be made to the Knox College Library at the Advancement Office, 2 E. South Street.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.