Avis Marie NiehouseRedding, CA1949 - 2017"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice . . ." 1 Peter 1:3-6a.Avis Marie Niehouse, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed into glory on September 13, 2017, in Redding, California. She leaves behind her husband of 47 years, Jan Niehouse, daughter Deborah Freeman and husband Paul Freeman; daughter Michele Mainiero and husband Andy Mainiero, and grandson Ricardo; daughter Christina Smith and husband Will Smith, and grandchildren Joyanna Marie, Daniel, Rebecca, and Zoe; and son Michael Niehouse. Marie was a gentle spirit, with the heart of a servant. Always giving of herself, she devoted her life to minister to others. She was a loving and forgiving encourager and counselor. Marie was also a fierce intercessor and wise prophet. Marie was a mother and homemaker who was clothed with strength and dignity and led her home as a Proverbs 31 woman. She was an example to many including her own children of loving parenting. Most of all, she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus.Marie was born on August 17, 1949 in Midland Texas. She was reared in Midland, and was active with her family in the First Church of the Nazarene, coming to faith in Jesus at age 5. Following high school graduation, Marie attended Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma. She and her classmates were active in sharing their faith with their community. Marie soon began serving as a full time staff member at the Teen Challenge Ministry in Oklahoma City, OK. During this time, Marie met Jan on January 31, 1970, a day after he had dedicated his life to Jesus. Upon Jan's completion of the program they were married May 1st of that year. Their heart's desire was met when they had children whom they ultimately decided to homeschool. In 1985, God called Marie and Jan to California, to serve with the believers of Shepherd Christian Center in Ventura. Marie supported the church's international missions efforts, participated in evangelistic outreach, led discipleship training, hosted a home small group, and underscored all of the church's efforts in prayer. In 1991, the name of the church changed to House of Prayer, and the focus became sharing the gospel with and serving the needy. For over seventeen years, House of Prayer held Sunday church meetings in a park in downtown Ventura or Ventura State Beach, and provided lunch for all the hungry visitors following the service. Marie and her family worked to prepare lunch outdoors every one of those Sundays!In 2011, God called Marie and Jan back to Texas to serve as houseparents and counselors at Mission Messiah's home for women and their children in Odessa, Texas. They patiently worked together restore the precious women and their children into relationship with God. In 2015, God called Marie and Jan to Bethel Church in Redding, CA where they have faithfully invested themselves as full time volunteers in various ministries and community outreaches of Bethel Church. Marie's favorite scriptures were the book of Isaiah and Ephesians 4. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, September 20, at 10:00 am at the Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel, 2655 Eureka Way Redding, CA. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Tuesday, September 19th, 3:30-4:30 pm at The Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel. The family is receiving donations to defer funeral expenses. Please sign the guest book at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/redding/