Obituary of Jo Ann Neuhauser

Jo Ann (Blount) Neuhauser, 67, passed peacefully at Community Hospice in Fernandina Beach, FL on Wednesday, November 4, 2020. She was born on April 26, 1953 in Huron, SD to Norman and Irene (Ames) Blount. In 1971 she graduated from Luverne High School in Luverne, MN. In addition to being class Salutatorian, she was an All-State Bass Drum player and member of the marching band. In her spare time, she cared for and trained her horse that she competed with in barrel racing. After graduating high school, she attended business school in Minneapolis, MN. Upon completion of business school, she moved west with the hope of someday owning a ranch. She met and married Clayton Neuhauser and her dream of living on a ranch became a reality when they moved to a ranch just outside of Pierre, SD. They bore two children together, Jessica, in 1980, and William, in 1982. She was employed at the South Dakota Bankers Association until 1987 when she relocated to Clearwater, FL with her father and two children. Jo Ann raised her two children in Florida where she worked at Nicholas Finance until she retired in 2004. She was an active member of the Lutheran Church and an amazing single mother. She never missed a baseball practice or game, softball, basketball or any other league event for her children. During these years she was “Mom” to a handful of other neighborhood kids as well. After raising her children, she was able to purchase an RV and travel throughout the United States over the course of a few years. Upon returning back to Clearwater, FL she spent the next years modeling what it meant to be a selfless servant in all that she did. She was a part time bookkeeper at both Abundant Life Ministries in Largo, FL and Somebody Cares Tampa Bay in Clearwater, FL. She participated in volunteer ministry such as feeding the homeless, as a talented member of the church media team, as well as other charity and ministry events throughout the years in the Tampa Bay area. In 2019, she temporarily returned to Pierre, SD where her grandson lived. It was during this time that she was diagnosed with colon cancer in April of 2020. Upon diagnosis, she returned to Florida to be with her children and grandchildren in Yulee, FL. She spent her final 5 months with family. It was a bittersweet time but a great blessing for all involved. She is survived by her sister, Merry Blount (TX), daughter Jessica Neuhauser (40, Crystal River, FL), son William Neuhauser (38, Yulee, FL), Daughter-In-Law Tina Neuhauser (36, Yulee, FL), and 4 grandchildren, Jalen (19), Mariah (17), Anthony (14), and Caleb (8). She was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Irene (Ames) Blount. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family requests donations to be made to Community Hospice of Fernandina Beach, FL. The care provided to her by Community Hospice was exceptional and we’d like to pay it forward to other families that may experience the difficult time of loss. This is a see you later, not a goodbye for we know that the hope that lies within us by the faith and power of knowing Jesus Christ is greater than death itself. She has gone home to everlasting life. Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.