Mary Lois Niebuhr

Mary Lois Niebuhr, 88, long-time resident of La Marque passed away on Wednesday April 2, 2025 at her residence in Santa Fe, Texas.

No matter where Mary lived, or who she was around, it did not take long for everyone to realize what a sweetheart she was. She was known for her beautiful smile, which always brightened the room and brought joy to others around her.

Mary was born July 21, 1936 in Navasota, Texas to Latham “Dolly” Boone and Lois Shelton Boone. Mary spent the first few years of her life living below the jail in Anderson, Texas because her father, Dolly, was the town sheriff.

In the year that she was born, her family traveled to the State Fair of Texas to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the state of Texas. During this celebration, Mary was recognized as the youngest living descendant of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Her family later moved to Navasota, Texas and opened a tourist court where Mary grew up in a loving household with her parents and four siblings. She attended Navasota High School where she was active in many extracurricular activities including Basketball, Spanish Club, Cheerleading, Student Council, Tennis, Band, and more. She also represented the Navasota Rattler football team as their Homecoming Queen.

When Mary was a senior in high school, she went out on a blind date with James R. (Jimmie) Niebuhr and they became high school sweethearts. They married on May 31, 1957, after Mary’s Junior year of college, and were married for 61 years until his passing in 2019. After graduating from the University of Texas in 1958, she worked for the Texas Education Agency and supported herself and Jimmie while he finished his last year of college. Jim loved to joke that Mary had earned her PHTS (Putting Hubby Through School) degree.

She was a trooper, as a young mother, she managed to wrangle her two children, an infant and a toddler on a flight to Clark Air Base in the Philippines to be with her husband who was stationed there while in the Air Force.

Jim’s work eventually led the family to La Marque, Texas where he and Mary would settle down and raise their family together.

Mary loved her community, and her church, First United Methodist Church of La Marque. She worked for many years as a preschool teacher at The School for Little People located at the church. Here she touched countless children’s lives with love and positivity. She enjoyed playing cards and always looked forward to her “Tuesday Bridge Club”. She was also a devoted La Marque Cougar football fan. She and Jim were season ticket holders for years and Mary was always in the stands waving her blue and gold pom-poms, cheering on the mighty Coogs.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Dollene Breggar, and son Robert Wesley Niebuhr (Rob).

Survivors include her children, sons Mike Niebuhr and wife Susan, Eric Niebuhr and partner Marc, daughters Marilisa Corl and husband Tanner, Lanie Rygaard and husband Ricky. Grandsons John Niebuhr and wife Nicole, Cody Rygaard and wife LeeAnna, granddaughters Emily Niebuhr, Brandi Gaspard and husband Ryan, and Raeh Corl, along with extended family members and many friends.

The family would like to thank Dexter Guice, Tina Joseph, and all of the staff at Victorious Assisted Living who took such wonderful care of our mom over the past few months of her life.

Visitation will be held Thursday April 10, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Emken Linton Funeral Home in Texas City, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church of La Marque, 1825 Howell Ave, Friday April 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Galveston County Memorial Cemetery.

If you would like to make a charitable donation in her honor, please consider FUMC of La Marque (1825 Howell Ave La Marque Texas 77568) or Victorious Assisted Living Charities www.victoriousassistedliving.org who serve assisted living residents.