Joseph John Nienaber
March 7, 1934 – October 21, 2017

Joseph “Joe” Nienaber of Humboldt, SK, (and formerly of Annaheim and Muenster, SK), passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. He was 83 years old.  Joe was born on March 7, 1934, to Henry and Maria (nee Niekamp) Nienaber at home on the Nienaber farm between Annaheim and St. Gregor, where he was also raised.   He attended Harvest School and used his schooling to help his German-speaking parents learn English.  After his school years, Joe worked for numerous farmers, as well as Doepker’s hauling livestock. In 1956, he went to work for Frances Kimmen to help with the family farm after the death of her husband.  In later years, Frances’ son, Donn, joined in the farming, and more land and livestock were purchased. After Frances retired and moved to Muenster in 1980, Joe and Donn started their life-long partnership in Kimber Farm.  Joe loved sports, especially hockey, baseball, football, and golf.  He even got a hole in one once! He often said, “I have golf clubs, and I like playing golf, but I buy the wrong golf balls. They like to be near trees and long grass”.  Joe, like most Saskatchewanians, had a love/hate relationship with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. For many years he regularly attended Rider games in Regina with friends. When unable to attend, he watched the games faithfully on TV.  Also like most Saskatchewanians, from time to time he was known to yell at the TV or call the next play from the comfort of his armchair.  Joe loved to remain active. This, along with his love of hockey, led him to the rink where he spent much of his time in the winter. He both coached and played hockey in Muenster, and when not actively participating in the sport, could often been seen in the stands as a spectator.  Joe was also very active in his communities. He served on the boards of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Muenster Sports Club, and Muenster Credit Union as well as serving with the Annaheim Knights of Columbus and Muenster Elks.  Joe also had an innate love of music, and sang with the Annaheim Men’s Choir for a time. In fact, the choir was so talented that the CBC heard of them and came to Annaheim to feature them on the air and record an album! His love of music continued throughout his life. He sang in the Annaheim church choir, and attended every Voices in Tyme concert where Maurina, Joanne, and Lesley Kimmen sang as part of the group. He was also known to stop what he was doing when a particularly lovely song came on the radio just to listen.  Joe was also known to tinker. He loved to fix things and figure out a problem. He was always willing to volunteer his skills to anyone in need of them. Those of you who knew Joe knows how he loved animals, especially dogs. Joe was always known to visit the Kimmen house, where there was always at least one dog present, with a container of dog treats necessary for the appropriate amount of canine bribery. Needless to say, the dogs also loved Joe!  As most of you know, Joe’s family situation was unique.   He had a big enough heart to accommodate being a member of two families; he was a Nienaber by blood and a Kimmen in spirit. After going to help Frances in 1956, Joe stayed and became an integral and much-loved part of the Kimmen family. In fact, the Kimmen kids were usually around 10 years old before they realised not every home had their very own Joe!  Joe will be remembered most for his humble nature, his infectious smile, and great sense of humour.  He will be lovingly remembered by his Kimmen family, Donn and Joyce Kimmen (nee Kunz) of Muenster, SK; their son Garry and his wife Tammy (nee Mueller) Kimmen and their children, Cassandra, Tristan, and Brooklyn of Lethbridge, AB; Donn and Joyce’s daughters, Maurina Kimmen of Humboldt, SK; Joanne Kimmen of Saskatoon, SK; and Lesley Kimmen of Moose Jaw, SK; Myrna (Robert) Clark and their daughter, Kimberly Clark, and sons Christopher and Gregory Clark, all of Calgary, AB. He will also be lovingly remembered by the members of the Nienaber family:  his four brothers, Henry (Deanna) Nienaber, of Saskatoon, SK; Martin (Donna) Nienaber of Rocanville, SK; Raymond (Brenda) Nienaber of Saskatoon, SK; and Clem (Wendy) Nienaber of Saskatoon, SK; two sisters, Freda Hilgers of Humboldt, SK, and Ramona (Frank) Munkler of Edson, AB; sister-in-law, Judy Nienaber; and by his many nieces and nephews.  Joe was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Maria (nee Niekamp) Nienaber; four brothers:  Conrad Nienaber; John Nienaber; Rudolph Nienaber; and Benny Nienaber; one sister, Agnes Muyres; one sister-in-law, Linda Nienaber; two brothers-in-law:  Richard Muyres and Leo Hilgers; and by his nephew, Eric Nienaber.  Rest easy now, Joe, and know you were a blessing to so many.  The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Joseph Salihu and concelebrated by Rev. Joseph Kurvvilla and Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB.   Others taking part were:  Mitchell Nienaber, crossbearer; Trent Nienaber and Valerie Fair, scripture readers; Shannon Litzenberger, Jenny Weber and Nicole Nienaber, intentions; Cassandra, Tristan and Brooklyn Kimmen, giftbearers; Martin Nienaber and Henry Nienaber, communion ministers; Blayn Nienaber and Aileen Nienaber, memorial table attendants; Donn Kimmen, Garry Kimmen and Tristan Kimmen, urnbearers.  Honorary pallbearers were “all those who shared in Joe’s life”.  Interment followed at St. Ann’s R.C. Cemetery, Annaheim.  Memorial donations may be directed to either the Canadian Diabetes Association or St. Ann’s R.C. Cemetery Fund.

This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)