Jacobus Coenraad Niehaus, 71, of Mandan, ND, also lovingly known to his family and friends as "Basie" (pronounced Baa-see), was called to his heavenly home on January 7th, 2023.  Memorial services will be held at 10:30am on January 19, 2024 at Linton United Methodist Church with Pastor Marlin Sapp officiating.  Burial will be held in the spring at the Linton Cemetery.

Basie was born on September 10th, 1952, to his parents Charles Jacobus Niehaus and Jacoba Barendina (Breytenbach). He was born in the Town of Ermelo, in the Province of Mpumalanga (at that time, Transvaal). He was raised with two older siblings, Annette and Johann, on the family farm, De Roodepoort. Basie finished 1-12th grade in Ermelo before completing 9 months in the South African Armed Services. Following this, he went on to the University of the Free State where he graduated with a 4-year degree in Agronomy.

Basie and his wife, Hester, farmed the family land until 2002 when they decided to immigrate to the United States of America. This decision was not taken lightly, as they sacrificed everything including the farm to give their two daughters, Denise and Nolene, a better future. This was very hard for a big hearted, ambitious farmer, but he tried his hand at many different jobs over the next 20 years, finally finding a niche at the Mandan Runnings. Here he enjoyed helping customers and especially working in the garden center.

Basie found joy in his family, especially when he could spend time with his daughters. He also obtained many new skills as a Grandpa to James and Devan, who taught him to build puzzles, play UNO, and even Scrabble. Basie was always a farmer at heart and enjoyed gardening and lending a green thumb whenever he could. He had a very soft spot for animals of any kind, and his gentle nature was appreciated by many, even under the guise of stubbornness. Basie loved to visit, whether on the phone, in person, or at a picnic table or braai (South African version of a BBQ).

He will be dearly missed by those he leaves behind, including his wife, Hester; daughters Denise van Leeuwen(Jacques) from Linton and Nolene Niehaus (Phoebe) from Vermont. He also leaves behind his two grandsons, James and Devan, a brother, Johann (Ina), brother-in-law, Wilhelm Serfontein, and many nieces, nephews, cousins. He was preceded in death by his Father, Charles, Mother Jacoba, Sister Annette.