JoAnn Nilges

JoAnn Nilges, 70, of Westphalia, died Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at her home. She was born on April 28, 1946, in Jefferson City, the daughter of the late William and Helen Vaughn Scheulen. She was married on April 20, 1968, in Linn, Missouri, to Lonnie Ray Nilges who preceded her in death on February 12, 2003. A 1964 graduate of Linn High School, Mrs. Nilges spent the majority of her adult life as a homemaker and farmer. She later served as Activities Director at Westphalia Hills for three years; worked in the Missouri State Treasurer's Office for ten years; and owned and operated Bel La Rays Gift Shop for five years. A member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia, she was a volunteer with Capital Region Medical Center Partners Auxiliary; member of St. Ann's Sodality; Westphalia Coffee Club; Western Catholic Union; and a life-member of Westphalia Historical Society. She volunteered for many years as a 4H Leader and served as a 4H judge at the Osage County Fair. She was also well-known for her jewelry and bow-making talents. She will always be remembered by her children and grandchildren for organizing fun and creative games every holiday, awarding lottery tickets to the winners. Survivors include her children, Suzie (Chris) Dickneite, Westphalia; John (Donna) Nilges, Loose Creek; and Cindy (Ryan) Pfahl, Westphalia; nine grandchildren, Alex, Skyler, Jonathan, and Elizabeth Dickneite; Kayla, Evan, and Claire Nilges; and Sophia and Saddie Pfahl; two siblings, Rosemary (Matt) Voss, Linn; and Richard (Kristie) Scheulen, Linn; and her step-mother, Eleanor Scheulen, Linn. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia, with the Rev. Mark Smith officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Westphalia. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, March 10th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home, Westphalia, with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic School, POB 205, Westphalia, MO 65085; or Westphalia Historical Society, POB 244, Westphalia, MO 65085. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.