Mary H. Neste

Thursday, March 21, 2019 6:51 pm

Mary H. Neste, 82, of Decorah, died Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, March 25, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Chad Huebner officiating. Burial was in Union Prairie Cemetery in rural Decorah. Visitation began at 10 a.m. Monday, one hour before the service, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Organist was Lindsey Lund. Soloist was Rebecca Steines (“In the Garden” and “The Lord’s Prayer”). Congregational hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Honorary bearers were Kathy Henry, Monica Koth, Paula Ness, Dellene and Jack Hager. Casket bearers were Mike Henry, Jon Peterson, Rich Reiser, Ricky Sjarpe, Clay Storla and Troy Storla.

Mary Carol (Hoopman) Neste was born April 26, 1936, at home on their farm in rural Castalia, the daughter of Clarence E. and Georgie Ione (Kobriger) Hoopmen. She was baptized Oct. 5, 1939, and confirmed April 2, 1950, at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. Her favorite verse during confirmation was Psalm 26:8. She graduated from Decorah High School in May 1953.

Mary was united in marriage with Luverne Parnell Neste June 27, 1956, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah by Pastor Rudolph Ofstedal.

Mary and Luverne moved to Cedar Rapids in the fall of 1959, where she worked as a telephone operator with Northwestern Bell. They devoted weekends to working the Neste farm.

In 1974 the couple moved back to a farm next to Luverne’s home farm where he and his brother, Paul, started the Neste Angus Farms. Mary helped with their family farm. She enjoyed gardening, reading and going shopping. She was a member of the Red Hat Society.

Mary was a very kind, giving and generous person. She loved visiting with people and giving hugs. She had a very strong will to live. She survived five different kinds of cancer.

Mary was also a faithful, long time member of First Lutheran Church in Decorah.
After a winter of prolonged illness and a short time spent at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, Mary was released to her eternal home with Christ Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at the age of 82.

Mary is survived by her sister, Nancy Oujiri, of Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law, Ingrid Neste, of Decorah; three nephews: Mike (Kathy) Henry and Paul Hoopman of Cedar Rapids, and Jon (Anna) Peterson of Eagan, Minn.; two nieces, Michele (Joe) Stefanick of Ft. Myers, Fla. and Kathy Rudolph of Cedar Rapids; two great-nieces, Stephanie Henry and Samantha Conley; two great nephews; one great-great-niece; four great-great-nephews; and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Luverne, June 13, 2012; one brother, Ron Hoopman, March 1, 2012; two sisters-in-law, Jo Ann Neste Calovich and Mardella Hoopman; and three brothers-in-law: Don Oujiri, Sherman Neste and Paul Neste.

Our heartfelt thanks for the many acts of kindness, warm remembrances and prayers during our time of loss.

Mary’s philosophy: A stranger is only a stranger until you have said hello.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.