Juanita Neu

Juanita “Nita” A. Neu, 68, a longtime resident of Aurora, passed away Thursday, January 24, 2013 at her home, after a short battle with liver cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 12, 1944 in Aurora, IL. Nita grew up on a farm in Elburn, attending Kaneland schools. She was a member of the first freshman class at the high school. She had fond memories of sharing a bicycle with her siblings and her mother, pedaling down the gravel road in front of their house. It was especially exciting when the bull got loose! In September of 1965, she escaped to the “big city” of Aurora where she married Tom Neu. Tom and Nita were blessed with three daughters. Family life was very important to Nita. Many summer nights included volleyball games and cook-outs, not to mention all the kid’s birthday parties and visits from Santa on St. Nick’s Night. Nita enjoyed all the accomplishments of her daughters and as they grew up and married, she took on her favorite role-the Permissive Grandma. She knew how to assure the moms she would follow directions, while sharing secrets with her grandchildren. Nita “shone the brightest” while caring for her physically challenged grandson, Matthew. She introduced him to the playground while holding him on her lap going down the slide because she said, “that’s what kids do!” Nita’s faith was a very important part of her life. She was sure to enclose a spiritual message in her Christmas cards. In her early married years, she was a member of St. Therese Church where she taught Religious Education classes. Nita was a member of St. Rita Church for thirty-four years and belonged to their prayer group. She was a writer of spiritual works and part of the editorial staff of the Rockford Diocese Trumpet Publication for many years. Nita was also a member of the Fox Valley Corvette Club in Aurora, a hobby she truly enjoyed. Survivors include her husband, Thomas Neu; three daughters Christine (Brad) Black of Elburn, Kimberly (John) Branstad of Geneva and Karen (John) Pirc of Oswego, IL; six grandchildren Lauren Black, Kate Pirc, and Joshua, Emily, Nathan and Sarah Branstad; three sisters Helen (Mike) Moore of Morton, IL, Elaine (John) Jones of West Chester, OH and Anna Hanson of Chicago and by her brother Ray Hanson of Maple Park, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents Carroll and Gertrude (Diederich) Hanson, her grandson Matthew Branstad and by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ruth and Al Neu. Funeral services will be Monday, January 28, 2013 from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY at 11:30 am to St. Rita of Cascia Church at 12:00 noon. Fr. Lou Busemeyer, S.J. will officiate with interment in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, January 27, 2013 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a liturgical wake service at 5:30 pm at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora, IL. 60506. (630) 631-5500. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Dreyer Medical Clinic and especially to Dr. Shilpa Dave for the care and concern she gave to Nita and her family throughout the last few weeks. Memorial contributions in Nita’s memory may be made to either Vitas Hospice or to Marklund (center for individuals with profound disabilities) at 1s450 Wyatt Dr., Geneva, IL. 60134. Nita, you said when Matthew died, you were happy for him because he was no longer suffering. While we will surely miss you, we know you are celebrating together in heaven.

Juanita Neu

September 12, 1944 - January 24, 2013