Shirlee Neubauer

Shirlee Neubauer, age 93, of Decorah, IA, died on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at St Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah, IA, with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. A dinner will be served in the church hall after mass followed by inurnment at Calvary Cemetery, rural Cresco. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, one hour before the service, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Shirlee Colleen (Hovden) Neubauer was born on February 1, 1929 to Kenneth and Olga (Simonson) Hovden of rural Ridgeway, IA, the eldest of six children. She attended country school and graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1948. In 1950, she married the “love of her life”, Gerald (Jerry) Neubauer. Together they farmed in the Cresco/ Decorah area for many years where they raised their three children: Sheela, Jayme and Lisa. In 1998, they built a home on land owned by Shirlee’s grandparents on the Pole Line Road where they enjoyed their retirement years. She worked at the North Winneshiek School and later as an inspector for Rockwell Collins in Freeport. Shirlee enjoyed bowling with the “Rockwell” girls, was an avid reader, loved genealogy and tracing her Norwegian roots, enjoyed the Nordic Fest, Vesterheim Museum, and the Hovden reunions. She enjoyed sewing, dancing, playing “500” and Euchre, gardening, and antiques. She was often one of the last ones at an antique sale so she could get the last boxes which sold for just one dollar a box. She loved painting ceramics and spent several years working for Marian Knoke in her ceramic business. Many of Shirlee’s nieces and nephews have pieces she made for them in their homes. She will long be remembered for her German chocolate cakes, her melting moment cookies, her ham balls, her chocolate chewy bars, and her “made from scratch”, “ secret recipe”, angel food cakes. Friends and family alike could rarely leave after a visit without a treat from her freezer. Shirlee loved decorating and hosting holidays at her home. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren would always wonder who might get a pan of those sought-after chocolate chewy bars with their gift. Shirlee was a member of the Winneshiek County Historical Society, the Decorah Genealogy Association, the Winneshiek Medical Center Auxiliary and spent many hours volunteering in the hospital gift shop. Once a month, she enjoyed lunching with her birthday club and after retirement she could often be found at Peace Lutheran in Ridgeway on Tuesday mornings where exercising and a robust discussion of several topics would be followed by doughnuts and coffee with friends at the Fireman’s Inn. She was a long time member of St Benedict’s Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of America. She could often be seen in the kitchen at St. Bens wearing her apron during church events. Shirlee would always greet you with a smile and could rarely be found without a cup of black coffee in her hands. She is survived by two daughters: Sheela Marks, New Hope, MN and Lisa (Randy) Tangen, Decorah, IA; seven grandchildren: Keisha (David) Sandberg, Elk River, MN, Shawna Bipes, New Hope, MN, Shannon Marks, Champlin, MN, Andrew Marks, New Hope, MN; Justin (Hally) Neubauer, Decorah, IA; Rachel (Scott) Schmitt, Fort Atkinson, IA and Dr. Breanna Tangen, Des Moines, IA; five great-grandchildren: Lauren and Joshua Sandberg, Elk River, MN; Jase Tofte and Jayven Neubauer, Decorah, IA; and baby girl Schmitt due in April. Sister: Rosemary Vopava, Ridgeway, IA; Brother: Roger (Carmen) Hovden, Ridgeway, IA; Brothers-in-law: Gene McCormick, Cresco, IA and Don (Bonnie) Neubauer, Cresco, IA; Sister-in-law: Janet Neubauer, Cresco, IA. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Shirlee was preceded in death by her husband Jerry (2008), her son Jayme (1993) and her son-in-law Wayne Marks (2013); Father and Mother: Kenneth and Olga Hovden; Father-in-law and Mother-in law: Jerry and Clara Neubauer; siblings: Lila McCormick, Janet (Arlin) Fisher, Virgil (Helen) Hovden; Brothers-in-law: Joe Vopava and Zachary Neubauer; Sister-in-law: Betty (Daryl) Lusson. Memorials may be sent to Lisa Tangen, 2411 Pole Line Rd, Decorah, IA, 52101