John Peter Neu
November 27, 2018
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Service Details
John Peter Neu, surrounded by family, died Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 of upper respiratory complications at Valley View Village in Des Moines. He was 102. John was born Sept. 16, 1916 in Chicago to Matthew and Anna Neu. He grew up on the southside of Chicago and Warrenville, IL, graduating from Marmion Academy in Aurora, IL. He met Lois Ott at a basketball game through a mutual friend and they married Oct. 3, 1942. As a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, he served as a C-47 pilot in WWII. He later attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI on the GI Bill, where he earned a mechanical engineering degree. John and Lois settled in Berkeley, IL where they raised four children.
After retirement John and Lois relocated to Florida, where they lived for 28 years, dividing their time between Florida and their cottage in Manistique, MI. They moved to Des Moines in 2014, where John celebrated his 100th birthday. He loved duplicate bridge and attained the status of Silver Life Master through the American Contract Bridge League. Additionally, John enjoyed golf, a daily libation, and time spent on his pontoon boat on Indian Lake.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Matt (Pat); and sisters, Madeleine (Herman) Pothin, Mary Louise (Joe) Surkamer, and Julie (Dean) Wall. John is survived by his wife of 76 years, Lois; his children: Jeanne (Jim) O’Halloran of Des Moines, John (Claire) Neu of Oak Park, IL, Jim (Jessie) Neu of Eugene, OR, Joan (Robert) Anchondo of Lockhart, TX; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, E. 33rd St. and Easton Blvd. in Des Moines, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.
Memorials can be made to Catholic Charities, 601 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, Ia. 50309. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
James
12/03/2018
My deepest sympathy for your loss. What seems to be a long life is never long enough where our loved ones are concerned. Our Heavenly Father Jehovah feels the same way. That is why He has promised to swallow up death forever and soon end all our suffering. (Rev.21:3-5; Isa. 25:8) May His promises be a soothing balm for your grieving hearts.
Russ Hale
12/02/2018
I had the privilege of playing bridge with John. A game that he truly enjoyed and I enjoyed playing with him. He was one of the best players that I had the pleasure of playing with. He was the only player that I had met who personally had played in a game with the legendary Charles Goren. If there is a bridge game in heaven I'm sure that John will be playing in it.
Joanne Calhoun
12/01/2018
Uncle John always figured fondly in my mothers childhood stories. She did love the boys or the twins.
Once I got to know him when he visited in VT and when we saw him in Florida I realized why Mother was so proud of him. Kind, brilliant and funny. His was a life well lived. Lois, I will never forget that lovely dinner you made for us in Florida. You are in my prayers.
The Children of Dale Ott
11/29/2018
We all mourn the loss of our beloved character, Uncle John. Our love and prayers go out to our Aunt Lois, and Uncle John's family. We will be making a donation to the Catholic Charities of Des Moines in his name!
Mel & Mary Lou Ott
11/29/2018
Uncle John was, for all his life, a real "salt of the earth" giving love to all his family and friends - and getting it back in return. He will be missed! Our prayers go out to the immediate family from his nieces and nephews - he was our favorite!