Indianapolis Star, September 29, 2008
Mildred Farlow Niesse 92, Indianapolis, Artist Emeritus of the Brown County Art Gallery
and a life member there. She was a natural born Indiana artist. Her work earned wide
acclaim before she studied art with teachers of the Indianapolis Art League in the
1950's, having already exhibited at the Hoosier Salon in 1946. She was honored on
November 13, 1999, at the Salon's 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Celebration. In
1947, she exhibited at the first John Herron annual exhibit show. She won forty major
awards at these shows over the following years. She was a member of the Indiana Artists
Club, the Hoosier Salon, the Brown County Art Gallery, the "20" Artists Group, a
Signature Member of the Watercolor Society and the Indiana Federation of Art Clubs. She
was past president of the Indiana Federation of Art Clubs. Her other memberships included
the Indiana Historical Society, the Riviera Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary at
Post 3 in Broad Ripple. Her
work has been exhibited at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She taught art classes for
gifted children at St. Mary's School. She painted mostly in oils featuring Indiana
barns and scenes of the Indianapolis 500 mile race. Twice she won top prize at the Indiana
Artists Club exhibit at L.S. Ayres & Co. in 1966 and 1976. She weas honored as an Old
Time Exhibitor at the Indiana State Fair for forty years of exhibition. In 1980, she was
commissioned to paint the Memorial Union Building at Indiana University in Bloomington.
The painting was reproduced in 500 color lithographs and sold to alumni around the world.
She was born at Milroy, in Rush County, Indiana, on December 20, 1915, the daughter of
John Dorse Farlow and Isabel Frazier Farlow.
She graduated from Milroy High School in 1933. She attended Indiana Central Business
College.
On May 31, 1941, she married Joseph H. Niesse Sr., then a Captain in the United States
Army. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 31, 1991. Her husband passed
away in June of 1991. In 1996, she was recognized for outstanding service for her church,
Immaculate Heart of Mary at the church's 50 year anniversary. She is survived by a
daughter, Jean Bennett, Oceanside, CA, and three sons, Joseph Niesse Jr., Indianapolis,
Robert, Chicago, and James, Indianapolis. Also there are four grandchildren and five great
grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 30, 2008, at Immaculate
Heart of Mary. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Madison, Indiana. Visitation
will be from 8:30 a.m. until the time of mass at the church. Arrangements were entrusted
to Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center Broad Ripple. Online condolences may be made by
visiting
www.flannerbuchanan.com.