Obituary of Elvern F. Neubauer

Elvern Francis (Haag) Neubauer, 84, of Benton Harbor, passed away at Spectrum Lakeland Regional Medical Center on September 27, 2020, just thirteen days after her birthday. Elvern was born on a farm in Hutchinson, Minnesota, on September 14, 1936, to the late Erwin and Anna (Tiemen) Haag. After graduating from high school, Elvern moved out West to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she met and fell in love with Richard Neubauer. On August 5, 1956, Elvern and Richard said “I do.” Their time together in Colorado Springs was short, as Richard got stationed in Germany, and Elvern gladly joined him. They started their family in Germany with the birth of their eldest, Kaye. After moving to Michigan, the family continued to grow with the addition of Mark, Cathy, and Thomas. After spending many years as a homemaker, Elvern joined the staff at the newly founded Michigan Lutheran High School when the school opened in 1970. She spent over eighteen years as the school’s secretary, which meant running the office, as well as being the kind face to first greet all visitors. After moving to Lansing, Michigan, Elvern became the legal secretary for the Michigan United Conservation Club for over ten years. There was nothing that Elvern loved more than being a wife and a mother. She cherished the time she spent with her husband, her children, and her grandchildren. She was the outdoors type and was an extremely skilled landscaper. She enjoyed bird watching and was very knowledgeable about all aspects of nature. She loved to take leisurely strolls on the beach, and would pick up stones and driftwood to create collages back home. She was preceded in death by her parents; by her son, Thomas Neubauer; her grandson, Jason Franklin; her son-in-law, Harold Krassner; and siblings, Sally, Paul, Lucille, and Vivian. Elvern will be missed by her husband of 64 years, Richard Neubauer; children, Kaye Krassner of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mark (Kelly) Neubauer of Lansing, Michigan; and Cathy Franklin of Cibolo, Texas; daughter-in-law, Colleen Neubauer of New Buffalo, Michigan; grandchildren, Aimee Neubauer, Max Neubauer, Jesse Neubauer, Amanda Franklin, Nicholas Franklin, Amber Franklin, and Jackson Neubauer; great-grandchildren, Emilia First and Zaelyn Franklin; sisters, Alice (Franklin) Boller of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Joanne Benjamin of Park Rapids, Minnesota, and Judy (Larry) Lietzau of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. Elvern will be laid to rest at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor at a later time. Condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.