John “Jim” Neu

YANKTON, S.D. — John “Jim” Neu, 83, Yankton, S.D., died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home on his birthday, Nov. 24, 2020.

Visitation, with a rosary and vigil service, was Nov. 29 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton.

Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 30, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, with Rev. Tom Anderson officiating.

After the funeral, military honors will be provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and S.D. Army National Guard Funeral Honors. Jim’s body will then be donated to the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. Burial will take place at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington, at a later date.

Pallbearers were all of his grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers were Darrell Kathol, Jerry Hoffart, Jerry Arens, Tony Dendinger, Bill Yates, Ron Nelson and Ed Soukup.

The funeral will also be live streamed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay and on Jim’s obituary page at www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.

Face coverings and social distancing were required for those attending the visitation and funeral.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Yankton.

John James Neu was born Nov. 24, 1937, in Harington, to John and Alice (Ford) Neu. He grew up in Hartington and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1955. Jim then enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany, from 1956-1958. After his discharge, he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated in 1962 with a degree in food processing and business administration. Jim married Judy Klaus April 24, 1962, in Emery, S.D. After their marriage, they lived in Madison, Wis., where Jim studied cheese making. They moved back to Hartington in 1963, and Jim started Neu Cheese Company. He owned and operated the business for over 20 years, selling in 1986. While in business, Jim was honored with several awards, some of which were the Outstanding Service Award by the Hartington Chamber of Commerce in 1974, and the Nebraska Small Business Person of the Year in 1978. Jim served on the Hartington City Council from 1970- 1982, was a trustee at Mount Marty College from 1983-1985, and also served on the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Board. Jim loved volunteering and being active in his community. He volunteered for Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Springfield Prison, and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was an EME and usher at St. Benedict Catholic Church. In his younger years, he was a Boy Scout Leader and was so proud when all five of his grandsons became Eagle Scouts and a granddaughter received the Girls Scout Gold Award. Jim loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, local amateur baseball and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events. He enjoyed spending the winters in Arizona and loved to hike in the desert. He also loved playing cards and treasured the time spent with family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Judy Neu, Yankton, S.D.; four children, Mike (Nicole) Neu, Waukesha, Wis.; Patty (Kevin) Zavadil, Crofton; Paul Neu, Oldenburg, Germany; and John (Amy) Neu, Yankton; nine grandchildren, Claudia and Christian Neu; Cassy, Cody and Bryce Zavadil; Catherina Breitenfellner; John, Zach and Lily Neu; seven great-grandchildren, Oaklee and Nealee Cwach; Easton, Nolan and Lennon Zavadil; Autumn Zavadil and Julian Breitenfellner; two sisters, Dorothy (Kenny) Kast, Dakota Dunes, S.D., and Marge Tramdachs, Omaha; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marilyn Baier; and two brothers-in-law, Eddie Baier and Andy Tramdachs.