John Neu

John “Opa” Neu was born on May 20th, 1952, in Linz, Austria. He passed away peacefully on December 2nd, 2023, at VITAS Hospice after a long 2 month battle. 

Dearest father of daughter, Julie (Robert) Gehrke and son, Johnny Neu. Loving and proud Opa of Myah (Victor) Larrea, Melina (Austin) Ziolecki, Malorie Gehrke (Ryan Danner), and Annora Neu. Being an Opa was John’s favorite part of his adult life. He was everyone’s Opa. John is further survived by many loving family members and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Josef and Sophie Neu, and his brother, Joseph P. Neu. 

John graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. His first job out of college was at Otto’s Liquor Store, and he enjoyed every minute of it. He then went on to work at Kohl’s as a Liquor Manager for 15 years. His final place of employment was Herker Industries, where he worked as a machinist for 25 years.

The Neu family came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when John was only a few weeks old. Milwaukee is where his parents opened a restaurant, “Neu’s Restaurant,” where schnitzel, spätzle, and beer was the popular order. When John was not busy playing sports, he was helping with various tasks around the restaurant. Once a year, John’s family would close the restaurant for a week and head to Eagle River, WI, where John’s love for fishing was born.

It was “Up North” where John felt happiest and most at peace. Muskies are known as the fish of 10,000 casts, but for John, the muskie was the fish of 10 casts. Once John retired from his fishing days, he found a liking for dog and horse racing. On the weekends, he would drive to Kenosha or Delavan to watch the dogs race, and he met many wonderful and lifelong friends along the way. When the dog tracks eventually closed, he discovered a passion for slot machines, specifically “Hot Hits,” at Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee. When John was not gambling, he was watching the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, high school and college basketball, or spending time with his family. John was a family man and would never miss a family member's sporting event or function. He absolutely loved and adored his family.

John’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center ICU, The Select Specialty Hospital in West Allis, and VITAS Hospice in West Allis for their compassionate care. 

A Celebration of Life for John Neu will be held on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at New Berlin Ale House, located at 16000 W Cleveland Ave, New Berlin, WI 53151.