MARY JANE GRAY NEUMANN 1920 to 2011

NEUMANN, GRAY, EPPERLY, DEUBEN, HORN

Posted By: James Mincks (email)
Date: 10/10/2011 at 21:11:14

Mary Jane Gray Neumann, age 91, died peacefully in her sleep at Wesley Acres on October 1, 2011, after a long and full life. She was born September 14, 1920 in Des Moines to Gaylord E. Gray and Marie Epperly Gray. Her grandfather and father were in the sand and gravel business at what is now Gray's Lake Park. The Gray household was an active and social one, where she was the eldest of four children. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Gloria Deuben, Virginia Horn and Gaylord Gray, Jr.

Mary Jane graduated from Roosevelt High School and Rockford College and, during the 1940's, worked for Bamkers Life. In 1948, she married Gordon R. Neumann, who was a member of the second generation in Neumann Brothers Construction Company. He died in 1979. She was appreciated for her dedication and involvement as a homemaker and community volunteer. She is remembered for her easy laughter, warm smile and gregarious personality.

Mary Jane is survived by her three children, Gordon R.(Rick)Neumann, Jr. (Elizabeth M.) of Des Moines, Jane E. Neumann (Karl H. Chun) of St. Paul, MN, and Alan Gray Neumann of Rhinebeck, NY; five grandchildren, Jeannette E. Neumann, Eleanore R. Neumann, Neil M. Neumann, Nicholas G. Neumann-Chun and Benjamin K. Neumann-Chun; and her nieces and nephews, Robert Deuben, Ann Deuben Doner, Nancy Horn Grubin, Gray Horn and Henry Horn.

The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff and residents of Wesley Acres for the fine care and sense of community Mary Jane enjoyed during her years there. The family will receive visitors at Dunn's Funeral Home, 2121 Grand Avenue, Friday, October 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 8 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 600 6th Avenue, where Mary Jane was a longtime member.
(note, no burial is mentioned)

from the Des Moines Register, Metro section; Tuesday, October 4, 2011; page 5B, columns 1 & 2.
also in the Des Moines Register, Metro section; Saturday, October 8, 2011; page 5B, columns 3 & 4.