Ruth Neu, 98, Aberdeen, SD, passed away on Friday, April 15, 2016, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor Nursing Home in Aberdeen. Funeral service will be Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church in Redfield, SD. Reverend Peter M. Utecht will officiate. Burial will be at the Rockham Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, from 5:00 -7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. The family will be present at 6:00 p.m. to accept condolences. (www.thelen-hykefuneralhome.com)

Ruth Rieke (Mowry) Neu was born on November 2, 1917 into the Christian home of William and Minnie (Lorenz) Mowry. She was baptized and confirmed in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. On November 3, 1936, Ruth married Jacob Philip Neu in a home ceremony in Rockham, SD. To this union were born twin girls, Sharon and Karon, and a son Philip.

The family lived on a farm near Rockham. After Jacob's death on December 23, 1958, Ruth continued to work and live on the farm. Later, she worked at James Valley Nursing Home as a nurse's aid for 12 years.

Throughout her life, Ruth was active in her church and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She also taught Sunday School for a number of years.

She enjoyed travelling and saw most states including the Hawaiian Islands and Canada. Ruth spent many hours sewing and quilting hand-made quilts for her family and the Good Samaritan Society. Ruth also enjoyed working in her garden and was a vicious competitor when it came to playing whist and pinochle with family and friends.

Ruth is survived by her daughters: Sharon Stahl, Redfield, Karon (Robin) Spear, Sun City West, AZ; her son, Philip (Donna) Neu, Burnsville, MN; her grandchildren: Steven (Liz) Stahl, Bruce Stahl, Ken (Sherri) Stahl, Dawn (Mike) Vourazeris, Denice (Bob) Paden, Diane (Tom) Stein, Brenda Spear and Corey (Nancy) Neu; 21 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great grandchildren and sister-in-law Arlene Mowry.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, son-in-law Donald Stahl, granddaughter Rebecca Stahl Fortune, granddaughter-in-law Amy Stahl, sisters: Blanche Neu and Vera Schmidt Zens and brother Ruben Mowry.

Friday, April 22, 2016
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home
101 East 7th Ave
Redfield, South Dakota 57469

Friday, April 22, 2016
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home
101 East 7th Ave
Redfield, South Dakota 57469

Saturday, April 23, 2016
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Messiah Lutheran Church
225 East 1st Street
Redfield, SD 57469