Published on November 10, 2025 4:44 pm
Last Updated on November 10, 2025 4:55 pm
Bernadette “Bernie” Elizabeth Niemann, 86, of Effingham, Illinois, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Bernie was born on November 19, 1938, the daughter of William (Bill) and Clara Thies. After graduating high school, she lived briefly in Chicago before moving to Chanute Air Force Base and eventually making her lifelong home in Effingham. On January 11, 1958, Bernie married James Zacha. Their joy together was cut short when James passed away while serving in the United States Air Force later that year. Their son, James (Jim), was born the following October. On April 20, 1960, Bernie married John Niemann. Together they built a loving home and family, adopting two daughters, Lynn and Lori. John lovingly adopted Jim as his own. Bernie’s life was rooted in service, faith, and love for her family and community. She worked at Harris Bank and Trust in Chicago, locally at Martin’s IGA, St. Anthony Schools and Church as a secretary, and later dedicated nearly 40 years to St. Anthony Hospital, serving faithfully in both the Administration and
Cardiopulmonary Departments. After retiring, she continued to give her time and care as a member of the Hospital Auxiliary. A devoted member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Bernie was active in St. Anne’s Altar Sodality, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, took Communion to people who were shut in, and often sat with friends and families during hospice—offering comfort and companionship during their most difficult times. Bernie is known for her warmth, humor, and unwavering kindness. She was always the first to stand up and help others in need and treasured every moment spent with her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, James Zacha and John Niemann; her parents, Bill and Clara Thies; and her brothers, Joe, Tom, and Chris Thies.
She is survived by her children, Jim Niemann (wife Donna), Lynn Schaufler (husband Gary), and Lori Brummer (husband Tom); her grandchildren, Jennifer Emmerich (husband David), Jamie Bayler (husband Scott), Laura VanMetre (husband David), Matthew Schaufler (wife Emily), Tori Brummer, Tristan Brummer, and Tess Brummer; and her great-grandchildren, James and Sophia Emmerich, Maxwell Bayler, Gabriel and Kairi VanMetre, and Clara and Sienna Schaufler. She is also survived by her brothers, Larry (wife Cindy) and Bob Thies; and her sisters, Theresa Masengale (husband Larry) and Eileen Springer (husband Tom), and her best friends Barb Doedtman and Carolyn Braun.
Bernie and her family are deeply grateful to all who visited and cared for her during her illness, and especially to those who helped provide transportation to her treatments in St. Louis over the past eleven months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony Schools or St. Anthony Cemetery. Bernie’s life was a beautiful example of faith, compassion, and love in action—and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL, with a family led Rosary and time of sharing taking place at 6:00 p.m.