Kristine Kay Neumann passed away on October 10, 2020 at Methodist’s Hospital in Rochester, MN at the end of her decades long battle with an auto immune disorder at the age of 62.
Kris was born in Owatonna, MN on October 19, 1957 and attended school there until her family’s relocation to New Richland, MN when she was 10 years of age. She graduated from New Richland-Hartland High School in 1976. Kris worked as a runway model, an executive assistant for B. Michael Stuppy Seminars, and was a Clinic Office Supervisor at Northwestern College of Chiropractic. She attended Austin Community College, Mankato and St. Cloud State colleges prior to obtaining an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Normandale Community College, graduating with honors in 1991. Kris received special recognition as Dietary Technician of the year in 1994 and was President of the Minnesota Technical Practice in Dietetics 1994-1995. She was active in her community and was a registered EMT. After working in the School of Public Health in the Epidemiology Research Department at the University of Minnesota, she began her twenty-four year career at Mayo Medical Center in Rochester MN as a registered Dietetic Technician.
Kris enjoyed any and all time she could spend with her family. Special times included the holidays at the farm, family birthdays, and summertime sunsets. She was a University of Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardener and her hobbies included garden landscaping and tending her beautiful flower gardens. She enjoyed family road trips, stained glass, reading and all things old and beautiful. It has been said that no one could work the magic of lemon oil and Murphy’s Soap on antique furniture and wood ceilings as well as she.
Kris was the strength and caretaker of her family and the force that made family gatherings and traditions so special. She was a best friend to many and the go-to person for all. She was an organizer, a supporter and a resource for her family, friends and co-workers. She was such a beautiful person in all ways, who will be missed by many and will be irreplaceable to all who were fortunate enough to benefit from her grace and generosity.
Kris is preceded in death by her parents Otto and Delores (Sorenson) Neumann of New Richland, MN and one brother-in-law, husband of her sister Stephanie, Michael Raymo of Mankato, MN. She is survived by her husband Raymond W. Mielke of New Richland, daughter Tara Kristine Fricke and grandson Ryder Otto Fricke of Eagan MN. In addition by her four siblings, Shannon Neumann and her husband Michael Sleeper of Shawano, WI, Stephanie Neumann Raymo of Mankato, MN, Kari Neumann Scholl and her husband Steve of Owatonna, MN, by her brother Daniel Neumann of Otisco, MN and by her nieces, nephews and their children, Samantha, Lance, Megan, Ethan, Alearah, Dylan, Lillian, Connor, Arionna, Malayah, Elyse, Josie, Jace, Baylor, and Krew.
With respect to current environmental factors, we are delaying Kris’s memorial service and will be holding a celebration of her life in June of 2021. We encourage you to contact her family members for more details as we approach Kris’s favorite time of the year, the summer solstice.