LaVerna Neugebauer

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Obituary

LaVerna Neugebauer, 92, of Mitchell, SD, formerly of Dimock, SD, passed away peacefully Monday, March 30, surrounded by her loving family, at Avera Brady Health & Rehab in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, April 8, at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Dimock. Burial will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 7, from 5-7:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 PM prayer service.

LaVerna LuElla (Doering) Neugebauer was born on October 29, 1933, in Tripp, SD, to Renatus and Johanna (Henke) Doering. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston. When she was very young, her family moved from their Tripp farm to a place southeast of Parkston, where she grew up.

From an early age, LaVerna lived a life of service, stepping away from school after sophomore year to care for her mother, a role that revealed the compassionate heart she would carry throughout her life. On January 9, 1955, she married the love of her life, Vernon Neugebauer, at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston after his return from the Korean War. They made their home west of Dimock on the homestead farm, where they spent 54 years working side by side.

A true farmwife, LaVerna created a home filled with warmth, good food, laughter, and deep faith. She was a caretaker in every sense, caring for her husband and children, reaching out to neighbors, and offering comfort, meals, or help to anyone in need. Her gentle wisdom, resilience, and unwavering kindness touched countless lives. 

In 2009, LaVerna and Vernon moved to Crystal Manor in Mitchell, SD, and later to Avera Brady Assisted Living in 2017, where she continued caring for Vernon as long as she was able and together, they handcrafted rugs, hangers, hats, scrapbooks and so much more. Caregiving was not just something she did, it was her God-given calling.

Her greatest joy was her family. LaVerna is survived by her children: Bryan (Carmen) Neugebauer, Dimock, SD; LeAnn (Dave) Moe, Alexandria, SD; and Tracy (Charlene) Neugebauer, Parkston, SD.  She is also survived by her grandchildren: Dustin (Tiffany) Neugebauer, McKayla (Anthony) Buechler, Chet Moe, Harley Neugebauer and Austin Neugebauer; great-grandchildren: Dyson and Kinsley Neugebauer, and Davy, River and Wilder Buechler; two daughters-in-law: Linda Neugebauer and Christine Neugebauer; three sisters-in-law: Nelda Neugebauer, Elaine Neugebauer, and Imogene Doering; and many extended family members and friends who will forever cherish her memory and her recycled handmade gifts.

LaVerna was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon (2022); two sons, Terry Neugebauer (2025) and Kevin Neugebauer (2019); granddaughter Ashley Moe (2019); her parents, Renatus and Johanna Doering; four brothers: Norman, Marvin, Roland, and Richard Doering; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Wilfred, Raymond, Lewis, Everett, Luvern, Elaine, Jeanetta, and Anita Neugebauer, and Darlene Doering.

Though her hands were often worn from work, her heart was always open, and her love will continue to grow through the many lives she touched.

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