Mother. Grandma. Wife. Sister. Aunt. Daughter. Friend. Volunteer. Mentor. Hero. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, Barbara Ann Neal, of Mt. Vernon, passed away surrounded by the family she cherished, after a long battle with cancer.
Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the Stewart Baxter Funeral Home, Mount Vernon. Celebration of Life was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon.
Barb was born Sept. 6, 1950, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Leo and Mary (Strickland) Thomsen, Barb was the second oldest sibling of five, and often referred to as the glue that held everyone together. She attended Mt. Vernon High School and graduated in 1968. On Sept. 12, 1969, Barb married the love of her life, Jeri Neal. Together, they raised four children, each attending Mt. Vernon High School, Todd ‘89, Ted 91’, Ben ‘96, and Abby ’99.
Barb and Jeri were married for 54 four years tackling whatever life threw at them together. Their love stood the test of time.
Barb’s devotion to her family and the community she loved, created a legacy for the Mount Vernon community. A strong advocate for students with special needs, Barb was instrumental in creating inclusive education in the Mount Vernon School District. She served as the chairman of the Advisory Committee to the School Board for six years. A fierce advocate for her children, and the number one sports fan at all of their events, Barb never missed an opportunity to cheer on her children and grandchildren during their many activities. When she wasn’t keeping score at wrestling meets, she could be found in the kitchen hosting the team for home-cooked meals and overnight parties. Long after her kids graduated, Barb continued to host live wrestling events in her living room, most often during the holidays. Family gatherings were Barb’s most precious times; her home was often filled with 60-80 family members singing, cooking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Whenever she had the chance whether it be for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or just a random Saturday, Barb brought family and friends together for great food and family shenanigans.
Volunteering was at the core of Barb’s heart, she made herself available to help in any capacity in any way she could. She was a Master Gardner and bird lover. She used her skills to help others in need, whether that was through cooking meals or lending an empathetic ear. She was the family barber and tutor for many of her 18 nieces and nephews. Her kitchen table was often the place for free counseling services. She was honored and delighted to provide care for her many grandchildren during their formative years. Her grandchildren were her greatest pride and joy. For each of them, she modeled such unconditional love, helping them to grow into the very best of themselves.
Barb had an extraordinary gift with numbers and spent much of her working career lending her services to local banks. She also provided invaluable tax and accounting services to family and friends who needed them. One of her most rewarding volunteer roles was becoming a Senior Health Insurance of Iowa counselor for Medicare and Medicaid.
A woman of the highest integrity, she had a fearlessness to right the things she felt were wrong. She was known as the voice of reason at meetings and in her letters to the editors. Education was one of her core values. A life-long learner and avid reader, Barb’s keen mind never tired of learning something new and of hearing new perspectives. In 2022, Barb completed her lifelong dream of finishing college, once again, leading by example that learning is for a lifetime.
Barb lifted others up with her loyalty and love. With it, she created, what she considered to be her greatest accomplishment, her family. Barb leaves this Earth surrounded by the incredible family she created with her tireless energy and endless love. Her loving husband, two brothers, two sisters, four children (and spouses), nine grandchildren, 18 nieces and nephews, a plethora of grandnieces and nephews, countless cousins, and one brand new great-grandson that she was able to hold before she left this Earth. Her family was shaped by her ever-present devotion and her nurturing spirit. While her legacy will continue through her family, she will be forever missed in our hearts.
Barbara is survived by her husband Jeri; children, Todd (Emily) Neal, Ted Neal, Benjamin Neal, and Abigail (John) Bock; grandchildren, Kaia, Grace, Meikaella, Toby, Nathaniel, Emma, Kyle, Cody, and Nick; great-grandson, Kellan; and siblings, Tim Thomsen, Bill (Lori) Thomsen, Mary Thomsen, and Martha (Vic) Davis.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved sister-in-law, Carmen Neal Musser.
A general memorial fund has been established for the family, please address memorials to Jeri Neal.
Please share your support and memories with Barbara’s family on her Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.