Mary Neeb

Mary Beth Neeb, age 71, entered eternal life with Jesus Christ peacefully surrounded by family on December 17, 2022 after having a brain aneurysm. Mary was born August 9, 1951, in Sheboygan, WI, daughter of Reuben and Elvira Marion (Tenpas) Arentsen. Mary was united in marriage to Robert John Neeb on July 28, 1973.

Mary’s first five years of education were enjoyed at Greene School (a one room rural schoolhouse), and she graduated from Oostburg High School in 1969. Mary continued her education at Waukesha Technical Institute for a Child Care Assistant Diploma, and then she went on to receive her college degree in education from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa in 1974. She taught 4th grade, preschool, and kindergarten in the Sheboygan Area School District for six years. After those six years, she chose to stay home and cherished the opportunity to be home with her children until 2000. She then found herself once again working for the Sheboygan Area School District at the Early Learning Center in a secretarial capacity until June, 2010.

Mary was a member of Hingham Reformed Church and then Gibbsville Church. Throughout the years, she enjoyed being among fellow believers where she could worship God, serve others, and be encouraged in her faith. She especially felt privileged to be part of the Vacation Bible School program with its evangelistic community outreach. She was also actively involved in creating a Mom’s Morning Out ministry, where she could encourage and support other moms with young children. She was blessed by the warmth and love of the congregations, which was especially meaningful during her 6-year fight with Parkinson’s Disease. Additionally, she was encouraged and blessed by the people she met in her Parkinson’s and Aurora Support Groups. They were of the utmost importance in her battle with Parkinson’s. 

God, family and friends were most important to her. Mary cherished her family and loved spending time with them. She was never happier than when she watched her grandchildren play together or when she could laugh with her sisters. There were so many precious friends Mary enjoyed as well in her life. They gave her joy, encouragement, and support that extended beyond imagination. The list would be long, but we want to thank all of them because Mary was so grateful for them.  Mary enjoyed the simple things in life. Throughout various stages in her life, she enjoyed walking, reading, cooking, baking, crafts, rides in the country, camping, parades, traveling, Bible studies, crocheting, the list goes on. She loved her country and all those who have served our country. She loved her friends. She loved her family. And she LOVED God!

Mary is survived by her loving husband of over 49 years, Bob, and her children Joshua (Melissa) Neeb of Oostburg WI and Crystal (Adam) Rogahn of Greenfield, WI. She was blessed and further survived by her grandchildren: Lydia, Josiah, Annalin, and Joanna Neeb; and Bellamy and Drew Rogahn. She is also survived by two brothers, Ron (Gail) Arentsen of rural Oostburg, WI and Ken (Ruth) Arentsen of Hingham, WI; four sisters, Barbara (Bill) Burnett of Haslet, TX; Carolyn Arentsen of Madison, WI; Janice (Rodney) Blunck of Pella, IA; and Susan (John) Byrne of Moscow, ID; two brothers/sisters-in-laws; Tom (Anne) Neeb of Valders, WI; and Roger (Betty) Neeb of Sheboygan Falls, WI. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Elvira Arentsen, her mother and father-in-law, Donald and Margaret Elaine (Wildgrube) Neeb, and her nephew Adam Blunck.

A memorial service to celebrate Mary’s life will take place on Wednesday, December 28 at 11:30 AM at Gibbsville Church, Wisconsin with Pastor David Krueger officiating.

Family and friends may call at the church from 9:00 AM Wednesday, December 28, 2022, until the time of services at 11:30 AM. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon in the church basement after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are appreciated in Mary’s honor for the Parkinson’s Foundation of Wisconsin or other local Parkinson’s groups.

For more information and online condolences, please visit www.wenigfh.com.