Mary Neerhof

Mary Neerhof, age 90, of Port Washington, was called to her heavenly home Feb. 17, 2021, with her family by her side.  

Mary Alice (Ansay) Neerhof was born on Aug. 20, 1930, in Belgium, Wis., the daughter of Joseph Ansay and Magdalen (Johen) Ansay, who had seven children, and Mary was the fifth child in their hardy family. 

Mary was a proud graduate of Port Washington High School, Class of 1948.  After her graduation, Mary and three other adventurous graduates celebrated with a trip to Florida. That was quite a trip in 1948.   

After high school, Mary worked for a local legal firm before being hired by Modern Equipment Corp., where she proudly enjoyed the majority of her career as executive assistant to several members of the management team. 

She left Modern for several years in order to dedicate her time to being a wife and mother. Re-entry to working life included positions with Johnson Brass in Saukville and the City of Port Washington Public Works Department before reconnecting with Modern Equipment until she retired in the winter of 1991.

On June 16, 1956, Mary married the love of her life, Dick Neerhof, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Port Washington. She was introduced to Dick two short days after he returned home from serving in Korea.  Dick and Mary were introduced by mutual friends who set up the blind date because they knew this was a perfect match.  Their first date was at the American Legion in Port, where they doubled with the couple that arranged the introduction. The night was perfect until Dick leaned over to kiss Mary while driving through Port, resulting in a trip to the hospital for the crew of four.  Despite the accident the love birds remained devoted to each other.      

Their married life together began on North Powers Street in Port, where they also started their family while designing and then building their home at 424 W. Oakland Ave. In the spring of 1960, they moved into their dream home, where they lived for 58 years until moving to Lincoln Village in June 2018 and subsequently in August 2020 to Chaska, Minn., to be closer to family that had relocated to Minnesota. 

They loved their home on Oakland Avenue in Port and the wonderful view of Oakland Green Park. The family dedicated a bench in the park so that others can share their passion for the park. Please visit if you can.

Both Mary and Dick loved their life in Port Washington, including a very active social life. Dancing and music were their favorite ways to enjoy life together along with their many fun friends. Dance club, supper club, sheepshead card club and Friday night fish fry events were a staple in their social calendar.  

In addition to their social life, Mary was an active community volunteer, including delivering meals for Ozaukee County Meals on Wheels. She also loved to pray the rosary with the residents of the Harbor Club. Additionally, she volunteered to read books with the students at Lincoln Elementary School. She loved all the students, but will admit to having one favorite. That charming youngster is now a student at Port High.  

Mary was a woman of strong faith and a long-time active member of St. Mary’s Parish (St. John XXIII), where she contributed in numerous ways to support parish functions.

She is survived by her devoted husband Dick; her two children, Paul (Conni) Neerhof of Salem, S.C., and Julie Delene  (Jerry Sykora) of Eden Prairie, Minn.; three grandchildren, Stephanie (Josh) Ortmeier, Ashley (Chase) Hassold and  Nick Neerhof; and four great-grandchildren, Aidan Ortmeier, Maximilian Ortmeier, Addison Ortmeier and Charlie Hassold.  

Mary is further survived by her sister Pearl (Bob) Houston and brother-in-law Ron Mentink, as well as an abundance of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. 

She was preceded in death by her infant granddaughter Mary McCoy, her parents and five siblings, Harvey (the late Elaine) Ansay, Donald (the late Eleanore) Ansay, Marcella (the late Donald) Wittkopp, Delores (the late Henry) Kowalski and  Loretta (the late Jim) Croatt.  

A private celebration of life will be held in Minnesota with immediate family and a larger celebration is being planned in Port Washington after restrictions are reduced. 

Interment will be at a Neerhof family site at Union Cemetery in the Town of Holland, Wis. 

A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at St. John XXIII, St. Peter of Alcantara Church, in Port Washington, Wis.

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s XXIII Parish or the Port Washington Food Pantry.
www.washburn-mcreavy.com
Edina Chapel  (952) 920-3996