Lauretta M. Neal

Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, MN 56003 (507) 388-2288 Lauretta M. (Roberts) Neal, age 94, of North Mankato and formerly of Lake Crystal, died Thursday, March 19, 2015, at Pathstone Crossing in Mankato. A Memorial Service Celebrating Lauretta's Life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, Lake Crystal with Rev. Randal Lubbers, officiating. A gathering for family and friends will be 1 ½ hours before service at the church and then immediately following the service in the church social hall. Interment was at the Minneopa Cemetery, rural Mankato. Northview-North Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Lauretta Mima was born July 22, 1920 to Luther and Elteen (Thurston) Roberts in North Mankato over her great uncle "Bert" Keene's bakery. She was the 2nd of 7 children. She attended Judson School, graduated from Nicollet High School and then attended Mankato Business School. She married Harold A. Neal on April 2, 1941. They started their married life in California managing two dairy farms. In 1945 they moved back to Minnesota where they farmed until they retired to Lake Crystal. Several years after Harold's passing Lauretta moved to North Mankato to live with her daughter, Judy. Her final years were at Pathstone. She was a member of the Carmel Presbyterian Church and later the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Crystal. She was a Sunday School teacher, deacon, 4-H leader, and served on many other committees. She worked at Brett's Department Store for over 25 years. Lauretta is remembered for her crafts, especially her stitchery, her gardening, and many other talents. She loved her family and traveled to many locations to visit them. Lauretta loved her pets, Toto and Toshi. Lauretta is survived by a son, Robert (Mary) Neal of Alexandria, MN, two daughters, Joan (Dennis) Fredericksen of Mankato, Judy Jackson of North Mankato; four grandchildren, Scott (Kim) Fredericksen of Forsyth, IL, Clark (Stephanie) Fredericksen of Mankato, Brenna Neal of Denver, CO, Jordan (Greg) Halvorson of Fort Collins, CO; six great-grandchildren, Brian and Drew Fredericksen, Brooklynn Fredericksen (special friend, Nick), Quinnlyn (Alex) Thompson, Joselynn Fredericksen, Gillian Halvorson; two brothers, Kendall (Marion) Roberts of Madelia and Mervin Roberts of Mankato; brother-in-law, Raymond Fairbanks of Holton, KS; several nieces and nephews. Lauretta was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold in 1993; sisters, Elanor Faulkner and Margelet Allen; brothers, Emrys and John Roberts; and great-great-granddaughter, Zoey.