Donald Neu

Donald (Don) John Neu, age 85, of Erwin, SD, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 14, 2025, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Lake Preston Lutheran Church. Pastor Terrill Sorensen will officiate with music provided by Rhonda James as organist. Active pallbearers will be Terry Vincent, John Vincent, Andy Vincent, Gavin Neu, Tate Larsen, and Jake Larsen with honorary pallbearers being Don's grandchildren. The service will be livestreamed via the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel website.

Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Lake Preston Lutheran Church.

Burial at West Bethany Cemetery in Erwin, SD, following the lunch at Lake Preston Lutheran Church.

Don was born on February 17, 1940, in the family home to Johnnie and Florence Neu, the same home that had also welcomed the birth of his father, Johnnie, and where Don would live his entire life. It was on the family farm where he developed a love for farming and a willingness to help any friend or neighbor in need.

He attended Happy Hill Country School before going on to Erwin High School, where he graduated in 1958. Don participated in basketball and school plays and received several singing awards. Following graduation, he began his farming career on the family farm. Farming was his love and passion, which he continued throughout his life until slowing down in recent years. In addition to farming, he was active at West Bethany Lutheran Church, where he served as vice president of the cemetery board for many years.

It was at the café in Erwin where Don met his future wife, Roberta Blachford. They were married in De Smet, South Dakota, on May 8, 1971, and shared 54 years together until his passing. During their marriage, they raised four children, who were their pride and joy.

Don loved the land he cared for, the cattle he raised, John Deere tractors, spending time outdoors hunting and fishing, and a good hotdog anytime. There was always something on the farm to work on or fix, and he was happiest when working with his hands. Above all, he cherished his family. He could always be found attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, proudly cheering them on. Whether it was basketball, volleyball, football, wrestling, track, soccer, or softball, he was always on the sidelines, never missing an event. After games, the grandkids and their friends came to expect one of Don’s traditions of handing out Tootsie Rolls.

He is survived by his wife, Roberta; their children: Tony Neu of Canton, SD, and his wife Peggy, and their children Abby, Emma, Gavin, Casten, and stepdaughters Samantha Hof (Austin), and their daughter Cici, Taylor Siegrist (Anthony), and Emma Plank (Tyler); Nikki Larsen of Lake Preston, SD, and her husband Brady, and their children Lexie, Tate, and Jake; Rhonda Ims of Brandon, SD, and her husband Cory, and their children Ali and Matthew; and Tim Neu of Lewiston, MN, and his wife Jennifer, and their children Tyson, Anissa, and Katelyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Florence Neu, and his sisters Beverly Hanson, Alice Warne, and Leona Gilbertson.

Arrangements entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel     www.crawfordosthus.com

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