Curtis Hayes Niemeier

Curtis “Hayes” Niemeier, 93 of Higginsville, Missouri passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Meyer Care Center in Higginsville, Missouri surrounded by family.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 19, 2022, at Salem United Church of Christ, 1500 N. Main St., Higginsville, MO, 64037.  A Celebration of Life will follow at 10:30 a.m., at the Salem United Church of Christ.  Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.  Memorials are suggested to the Veterans Assistance League, to assist the Veterans at the Warrensburg Veterans Home.  Memories of Hayes and condolences for his family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2^nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524. 

Hayes was born on August 29, 1929, in Mayview, Missouri to August and Laura (Fieth) Niemeier.  He served in the United States Army, and the Korean Conflict.  While serving, Hayes earned the Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.  He was united in marriage to Grace H. Fasse on February 12, 1955, at the Salem United Church of Christ.  They enjoyed 67 wonderful years together.  In addition to being a member of the Salem United Church of Christ, Hayes was a member of the American Legion Post 223, VFW Post of Mayview, MO, and the JI Case Collectors Association.  He was owner and operator of Luehrs Welding Shop in Higginsville for over 30 years. He was an avid thresherman and enjoyed educating others about historical threshing by putting on threshing demonstrations at his farm. He was a blacksmith and a farmer. Hayes enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, goose hunting, attending tractor shows, collecting and working on tractors, primarily J I Case.     

Hayes is survived by his wife of 67 years, Grace Niemeier of Higginsville, MO; four nephews, Elden Knipmeyer (Vicki) of Higginsville, MO, Clifford Knipmeyer (Bess) of Dupree, South Dakota, Dennis Knipmeyer (Judi) of Higginsville, MO, and Leland Struchtemeyer (Susie) of Lexington, MO; and one niece, Barbara Struchtemeyer of Lee’s Summit, MO; and many relatives and friends. 

Hayes was preceded in death by his parents.