Mary Elizabeth (Siemer) Neustel

Mary Elizabeth (nee Siemer) Neustel was born on May 20, 1936, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Dr. Charles E. and Genevieve L. (Harrison) Siemer. Mary graduated from Barnum High School in 1954. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. She worked as a social worker in Hennepin County for many years.

Mary and her husband, Ken, joined members of the International Association of Airborne Veterans with whom they parachuted in Mongolia, and again in Jordan in 2000 with Prince Hamzah to honor the life of his father, King Hussein. 

Mary and Ken were outdoor enthusiasts and enjoyed canoeing the Boundary Waters and hiking Isle Royale. One memorable experience was hiking an Austrian mountain trail for a few days. Her other interests included her numerous pets. 

Mary is survived by her brother, Charles H. Siemer, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, numerous nieces and nephews, a goddaughter and her beloved cat, Abby. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth C. Neustel, and sister, Marilyn (Harrison Swanson) Margulies. A memorial service is planned for November 14 at Hosanna Church, 9850 163rd Street West in Lakeville, Minnesota.