"I did not know Marilyn but I was a very good friend of her brother Hap I left Quincy spne 60 years ago"
In loving memory of
Marilyn Elizabeth Niebur
June 20, 2013
Marilyn Elizabeth (Northern) Niebur, 83, of Quincy and Melbourne Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at Blessing Hospital with her family at her side.
Celebration of life services will be held at 11a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with the Rev. Tony Metz officiating and her grandson, Matthew Niebur, delivering the eulogy. Interment will be in Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Hansen-Spear Funeral Home of Quincy. Pallbearers will be Nathan Jun, J. Chase McGrath, R. Cullen McGrath, Matthew Morgan, Matthew Niebur and Michael Niebur. Visitation will be 4 pm to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Marilyn was born May 3, 1930, in Quincy, Ill., to H.P. and Wilma (Grover) Northern. She married Robert F. Niebur on March 2, 1953, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Marilyn was a 1948 graduate of Quincy High School and earned a nursing degree at St. Mary's Nursing School in 1951. She also completed a bachelor's degree in 1976 at Quincy University, then Quincy College. As a teenager, Marilyn became one of the Quincy Herald-Whig's first papergirls when she boldly applied to inherit her older brother's paper route. From 1952 to 1990, she worked at the Illinois Veterans Home, where she was Chief Nurse and Social Services Director. At the time she started work at the Vets Home as a young nurse, her oldest patients were veterans of the Spanish American War. She was instrumental in establishing the R. E. Northern Guest House, providing affordable accommodations for veterans' visitors. She also spearheaded a program to serve the homeless veterans of Qunicy, offering housing, job placement and other services. Marilyn was dedicated to improving the quality of life for Illinois veterans. She organized opportunities for them to socialize and relax through recreational rehabilitation programs like woodworking and shop. In 1972 she was named Outstanding State of Illinois Employee.
Marilyn passionately loved life and truly followed the advice of another native of the Mississippi Bluffs, Mark Twain: "Let us endeavor to live so that when we come to die, even the undertaker will be sorry." She enjoyed reading, music, film, crochet and sewing, history, travel, and above all spending time with her family and friends. She was a member of the Luther Memorial Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Association of University Women and the Florida Retired Nurses Association.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Connie Riehn; brothers-in-law, Paul Niebur and Dean Niebur; and sisters-in-law, Shirlee Northern, Ruby Niebur, Mildred Niebur and Leoline Niebur.
Survivors include husband, Robert "Bob" Niebur of Quincy and Melbourne Beach; son, Brett Niebur and wife Cindy of Omaha, Neb.; daughter, Angela McGrath and husband John of Lisle, Ill.; brother, R.E. "Hap" Northern of Quincy; granddaughter, Michelle Niebur and husband Dr. Nathan Jun of Wichita Falls, Texas; three grandsons, J. Chase McGrath and wife Michelle of Darien, Ill., Matthew Niebur and partner Niki Smith of Indianapolis, Ind., R. Cullen "Cully" McGrath of Lisle; and three brothers-in-law, Eugene "Cowboy" Riehn of Quincy, Phil Niebur of Pittsfield, and Charles Niebur of Quincy.
The Niebur family would like to express its deepest appreciation to the staff of Blessing Hospital, particularly the nurses who provided Marilyn and her family with compassionate care in her final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marilyn's honor may be made to Quincy University or the Luther Memorial Church.
Tributes
"So sorry to hear about Marilyn,she was a wonderful person, worked under her & it was a pleasant experience, you couldn't ask for any better boss."
"Dear Angie and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a great person and I will always remember her for her kindness and gentle way. Please know I will keep all of you in my prayers. Pat (Moore) Holbrook"
"Dear Bob,Hap and Niebur Family, Thinking of you in your time of sorrow. Sincerely,' Dick & Pat Wentura"
"Dear Niebur and Northern Families, I had so many good times with Marilyn whole at Soldiers Home and some classes at Quincy College too. It has been many years since I saw her, and it was like yesterday while she was at the home and with Fr. Loyola too. God bless you Bob and also Hap, so many good times and laughs, I sure met some wonderful people in my time, and Marilyn was one of them. Paul K. Geers Old server at St. Lawrence chapel 1964-1988."