Darwin Gene Niehaus, 86

Darwin Gene Niehaus, age 86, of Greene, Iowa, was born the son of Carl Herman and Grace S. (Hoodjer) Niehaus, on January 7, 1939, on their family farm.  He received his early education in the country school, then graduated from Clarksville High School in 1957.  Darwin was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Clarksville.  Darwin served with the United States Army Reserves. 

On November 24, 1962, Darwin was united in marriage with Sharon Ray Hartema at the St. John Lutheran Church in Clarksville, Iowa.  In 1965, the couple moved to the family farm to help his father farm and later took over the farming operation.  He raised livestock and crops for many years, but his true passion was raising Purebred Spot Hogs.  He passed down this passion of raising and showing Spots to some of his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.  He was a member of the Spotted Swine Association.  Alongside his friend, Bob Litterer, Darwin started the Butler County Pork Producers in 1967.  Darwin retired from farming in 2022.  He was also employed as a cement truck driver for Manatt’s until 2014.

Some of his greatest accomplishments, besides his family, were earning his many awards.   He received the “The Way We Live” honor at the Iowa State Fair in August of 2015, inducted in the Butler County Hall of Fame and the Natonal Spotted Swine Hall of Fame, both in 2017.  

In the community, Darwin was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and the Clarksville Amvets.  Darwin enjoyed sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes!  He enjoyed dancing and music and loved attending all the county and state fairs and showing his spotted pigs. 

Darwin died on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at his home.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Grace Niehaus; his brother, Marlin Niehaus and a son-in-law, Scott Feldman.

Darwin is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sharon Niehaus of Greene; four children, Renee (Mark) Lane of Elkhart, Iowa, Jeff (Laurie) Niehaus of Sac City, Iowa, Brian (Sue) Niehaus of Urbandale, Iowa, and Holly (Ryan) Wedeking of Greene, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Dustin, Alex &  Derek Feldman, Adam, Carter & Cale Niehaus, Collin, Jordan & Ashlyn Niehaus, and Emma Wedeking; two step-grandchildren, Reilly Partridge and Kacie Peters; 13 great grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren; four brothers, Dean (Carol) Niehaus of Oakridge, Tennessee, Ron (Jill) Niehaus of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Charles Niehaus, and Dennis (Jeanette) Niehaus of Mason City, Iowa, and an ex sister-in-law, Marilyn Niehaus.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, September 19, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Clarksville.  Pastor Charles Underwood officiated the service.  Organist was Sharon Leerhoff and she accompanied the congregation as they sang “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”, “How Great Thou Art” and
“Amazing Grace”.  Special music, “Daddy’s Hands” and “Happy Trails”, was played.  Burial was held at Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville with Dustin Feldman, Adam Niehaus, Collin Niehaus, Emma Wedeking, Mike Ruby and Merlyn Hirsch serving as Casketbearers.  Honorary Casketbearers were Alex Feldman, Derek Feldman, Carter Niehaus, Cale Niehaus, Jordan Niehaus, Ashlyn Niehaus, Reilly Partridge and Kacie Peters.

Military rites were conducted by Clarksville AMVETS Post #30.  Dennis & Jean Ann Wedeking served as the Flower Committee.  

Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday at the Redman Funeral & Cremation Services, Clarksville Funeral Home.  Memorials may be directed to the family.  Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com