Obituary of Delores Mary Neuhaus

Delores M. Neuhaus, 85, of New Vienna passed away Friday, December 22, 2017, at her home.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2017, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW in Dyersville.  Visitation will continue Friday from 9 – 10 a.m. at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, December 29, 2017, St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna, with burial in the church cemetery.  Rev. John O’Connor will officiate.

Delores was born August 16, 1932, on the family farm near New Vienna the daughter of Alphonse and Alvina (Pape) Klostermann.  She attended St. Boniface Grade School and High School and graduated in 1950.  She was a member of the St. Boniface Youth Sodality and the 4-H Clever Clover Club.  After graduation she worked in the office of Dr. David Ungs, DVM and later in the office of Neuhaus Feeds and Dairy Supply in New Vienna.  She also helped on the family farm after her father’s death in 1949.  On June 8, 1954 she married Bernard Neuhaus at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna.  Seven children were born to this union.

Delores was active in the community.  She was instrumental in organizing the New Vienna Area Historical Society and served as the first Secretary.  She was a volunteer and a tour guide at the Heritage House Museum and was a successful grant writer for the Museum as well as many other organizations in the area.  She recently served as the society’s President and Historian.  She worked hard to place ten acres of the town of New Vienna on the National Registry of Historical Places.  She served on the committee for the recently published book, “Roots and Wings”.

Delores served on the Dubuque County Historical Preservation Board for many years.  She worked as an election official and was the Vice Chair-Person for Precinct 43.

Delores was a member of St. Boniface Parish, the Altar and Rosary Society and served as President and Vice president and as a group leader.  She served as a member of the St. Boniface Adult Choir and as a Eucharistic Minister.  Delores was a member of the Beckman Booster Club and served on the Beckman Endowment Board.  She served on the New Vienna Economic Development Committee.  Delores also was a member of the Dyersville Area Historical Society.

She operated an In-Home Day Care service for 25 years and cared for over 120 different children.  Delores and Bernie liked to travel and visited many foreign countries as well as the many attractions in the United States. 

Delores received many awards for her preservation efforts and her dedication to research of area people and events.  She received the Outstanding Citizens Award from the New Vienna Business Boosters.  She was also named Woman of the Year in 2006 by the Dyersville Area Chamber and received a certificate of appreciation from the Hennessy School.  She also received an appreciation award from the New Vienna Area Historical Society.  She was also a Governor’s Volunteer Award recipient.

Delores enjoyed traveling, quilting, playing cards, flowers, her fish pond, her dog, reading, writing, but most of all her family and friends.  She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs Fan.  Delores loved making things for her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Survivors include 4 daughters: Jane (Arnie) Bruggeman of Hopkinton, Susi (Dave) DuBois of New Vienna, Nancy (Randy) Lenz of Oxford, WI, Amy (fiancé Al Steger) of Colesburg, 2 sons: Michael Neuhaus of New Vienna, and Steve Neuhaus of Galena, IL; grandchildren: Ben (Rachel) Bruggeman of Sand Springs, Tony (Jennifer) Bruggeman of Manchester, Steve (Amy) Bruggeman of Cascade, Jon (Miranda) DuBois of North Liberty, Gina (Corey) Schultz of Adel, IA, Laura (Tyler) Bushman of Marion, Alex Lenz and Emily (Daniel) Henning of Marshall, WI; step grandson: Andy (Dawn) Bruggeman, great grandchildren: Lauryn and Avarey Bruggeman, Owen Bruggeman, Clara DuBois of North Liberty, Addison, Molly and Ryan Schultz of Adel and Finley Rowe and Kit Bushman of Marion, step great grandchildren: Michael, Bryce, Kurtis, Mikayla, Brooke, Tori, Tyler and Shyla, two sisters: Marian Klostermann of New Vienna and Norma Jean Venteicher of Edgewood, two sisters-in-law: Germaine Foxen of Luxemburg and Alvera Morman of Dubuque.  She will be greatly missed by her special companion, Max, her faithful dog.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie on December 18, 2001, her son, John on August 2, 1967, her parents, Alphonse on December 13, 1949, and Alvina (Pape) Klostermann on January 6, 1989, her brother, Gerald in 2017, her in-laws: Barney and Theresa Neuhaus in 1953 and 1971, other in-laws: Janet Klostermann, Alvin and Clara Neuhaus, Emmett Foxen, Paul Venteicher and William Morman.  

Memorials are preferred and a memorial has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.