Every farmer puts his land to rest for the winter. And in the spring, it is brought back to life. God put this farmer to rest and he walks the horizon to a new life.

Leonard F. “Boots” Niekamp, 92, of rural Quincy, died at 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2nd at the family home surrounded by his loving family.

Boots was born on November 1, 1928 in Quincy, IL. He was the son of William A. and Fredericka Ahlemeier Niekamp. He married Dorothy Wiewel on September 1, 1948 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Married for 70 years, she preceded him in death.

Boots began working at the age of 13 as a semi-truck driver for his father who owned and operated Niekamp Trucking Business, which was started in 1923. He was driving the Quincy to Chicago route at the age of 17.
Shortly after he married Dorothy, he bought his home farm which he farmed for over 50 years. He first farmed with his brothers Howard and Richard. The three brothers had one of the largest farming operations in the area at that time doing custom harvesting and filling silos for the neighbors and baling hay for Moorman’s.
Later in years he began to raise over 100 head of Black Angus Cattle along with feeder hogs and growing soybeans, corn, wheat and hay.

Boots was a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 60 years, past member of the Loyal order of the Moose and Eagles. He was a lifelong member of St. Edwards Church and a trustee for 19 years.
Boots was on the school board of Unit 4 school district for 9 years, 2 years he served as President giving his daughter Susan her diploma.

He was involved in several Euchre Tournaments over the years. Winning first place with Lloyd Wiewel at the Grove Inn.

Boots and his long-time friend and neighbor Jack Blickhan were always in Cahoots with one another on different projects. One such project was when they decided to brew 50 gallons of root beer. After many hours of bottling and storing the bottles in the old chicken house, the bottles all exploded! No one even got a taste!
Boots and Dorothy along with his niece Jane Leffers and her husband, Floyd enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas and various casinos around the area. He mainly played blackjack and walked away a winner.

Boots was a car salesman’s worst nightmare! He negotiated the buying and trading of over 75 cars and trucks for family and friends. He was always working to get the best deal.

Boots is survived by:
HIS CHILDREN: Diana (Jerry) Yaeger of Edwards, IL; David (Linda) Niekamp of Coatsburg, IL; Susan (Tom) Herrick of Elmhurst, IL; Connie (Michael) O’Neal of Quincy; Rex (Betty) Niekamp of Quincy and Alan (Karen) Niekamp also of Quincy.
HIS GRANDCHILDREN: Michael (Jennifer) Warren; Monica (Fred) Trowbridge; Brian (Bobbette) Niekamp; Brent (Linda) Niekamp; Brandon (Jamie) Niekamp; Jason (Caitlin) Herrick; Cory (Kiley Maas) Herrick; Jenny (Seth) Manchik; Jamie (Benjamin) Hamilton; Bradley (Emily) Baum; Lindsey (John) Kelly; Lucas (Trent Beatty) Niekamp; Lance (Shannon) Niekamp; Vince (Erin) Niekamp; and Saran Niekamp.
HIS GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Dylan Trowbridge; Tyler Schindler; Kadin Niekamp; Kale Niekamp; Rowan Herrick; Aiden Herrick; Rylie Manchik; Devyn Manchik; Eleanor Hamilton; Isabel Hamilton; Nolan Kelly; Lydia Kelly, Bentley Niekamp and Carson LeonardLewis Niekamp.
SISTER: Erma Taylor and a SISTER-IN-LAW: Faye Niekamp Orr.
Mr. Niekamp was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy, three brothers, Howard Niekamp, Richard Niekamp and Sonny Niekamp; and a sister, Wilma Mosley.

Leonard’s family would like to thank the caregivers at Blessing Hospice for the loving care that they gave Leonard while he was under their care.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 11:00 Am in St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon. Interment in Quincy Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the mass at 11:00. Anyone planning on attending is asked to wear a mask and observe social distancing. Memorials may be made to Blessing Foundation for Hospice or to the Knights of Columbus TV Mass for shut ins. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.