Ethel Edna Neufeld, 91, a servant of God, went home to Jesus, on July 12, 2023. She was born to Jacob A. and Sarah (Unruh) Klaassen in Mt Lake MN on July 29, 1931. Her mother died when she was 6 and her father remarried Mary Goossen two years later. She grew up on a farm in Minnesota and learned sewing, quilting, piano, the importance of education, and had an unquenchable desire to know and serve the Lord. She accepted Christ at the age of 9.

After completing high school in Mt Lake. Ethel attended Mankato State Teachers College where she earned a BS degree in 1954. That same year Ethel met Ernie Neufeld on a blind date that had been arranged by his sister. He was visiting Mt Lake and returned to teach in St Cloud MN and Ethel returned to Omaha NB where she attended Grace Bible College.

Two years later their paths crossed once again in church, and they married the following summer. They celebrated 62 years of marriage. In 1961 Ernie told Ethel he was tired of shoveling snow and that year after Ethel completed her master’s degree from the University of Wyoming, they moved to Stockton CA.

She accepted a teaching position with Stockton USD. Ethel was a teacher and program specialist for SUSD with over 30 years of dedicated service when she retired. She was involved in many areas and organizations during her career including President of the SJ County Reading Association, President of Tau Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, presenter for various local, state, and international reading conferences.

Ethel enjoyed traveling, quilting, sewing, and planning socials for church. She relished dining with friends, spending time with Ernie working on their rose garden, was an avid reader, devoted Christian, and treasured her walk with the Lord. She was an accomplished pianist and organist and often volunteered to play the organ for the San Joaquin County Historical Society. Ethel had a passion for sharing God’s word and His love and was a supporter of many mission and ministry projects both local and worldwide. She was an active member of Quail Lakes Baptist Church for almost 60 years.

Ethel was preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by her husband Ernest O. Neufeld and brother Glendon Klaassen. She is survived by her brother Marvin Klaassen of Pennsylvania and sister Jeanette Kroeker of Nebraska as well as many other dear relatives and precious friends.

A heartfelt thank you and deepest appreciation for the sacrificial love, care, and support Ethel received from Jessie, Helen, Joy Ann, Remi, and her QLBC family. May God bless you in great abundance.

A graveside service will be held at Cherokee Memorial Cemetery, Garden of Trees, on July 29, 2023, at 11:00. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gideons International, QLBC, or the organization of your choice.

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