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Douglas Neff
March 22, 1955 — November 8, 2024
Red Wing, MN
Douglas Neff, 69, of Red Wing, MN, passed away on November 8, 2024, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. He graduated from Rapid City Central High in 1973. While he was in school, he was a newspaper boy and worked his way up to advertising and dispatch. He enlisted in the Navy in 1973 and served for four years, specializing in electronics. Doug was stationed in San Francisco, San Diego, and Midway Island. He graduated with honors, achieving the highest GPA in his enlisted class. After his discharge, he worked for the railroad for five years. He married Teri Dow, they later divorced. In 1995, he married Charlotte (Mann) Smith in Red Wing. They lived in Red Wing, where he worked as a union electrician. He eventually opened his own electrical company, Checker Electric, in Red Wing. Doug retired after 35 years as an electrician. He was a devoted member of Lands Lutheran Church.
Doug is survived by his wife, Charlotte; two children, Luke Neff of Hermosa, SD, and Sarah (Cory) Scott of Custer, SD; and stepchildren: Stephanie Lagrande of Rapid City, SD, Virginia Wickersham of Michigan, Jeffrey (Carol) Smith of Red Wing, David (Diane) Smith of Red Wing, and Michelle Smith of Lake City. Numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One brother, Robert Neff of Minneola, FL; and sisters Georgiana Neff of Hill City, SD, Sue (Steve) Jarvis of Hill City, SD, and Wanda (Mark) Larson of Mantorville. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Sharon Neff, and his half-brother, Elden Passard.
A service will be held at Lands Lutheran Church in Zumbrota on Thursday, November 14th, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service and from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13th, at Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel.
 
SEAMAN APPRENTICE DOUGLAS A. NEFF US NAVY
Navy pictures thanks to Sue Jarvis - Dougs sister https://www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/douglas-neff
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Thomas Thorson
Thanks for posting this sad news. I didn't really know Jeff while we were in high school but we connected at the 50th. He didn't look well then and I think he knew he wasn't well. Of everyone there he was the most welcoming and made special efforts to make sure everybody was acknowldeged and he stated such happiness to see everybody, as though he knew it might be his last chance to express his good will. We had a nice chat about his like in Minnesota and the fun story about how he and his wife met. My heart is heavy but I'm so glad we connected at the reunion. Tom Thorson
John Matson
Doug Neff and I were in the same classroom every year from 1st Grade through 7th Grade at Rapid Valley School. Doug was always the top student academically each year and no slouch in the sports arena as well. I fondly remember the time I would spend at the pond at the Neff's in the upper part of the Valley where Doug would allow me to row the boat across it time and time again just to feel the "burn" in my arms and in the winter the imprompt hocky games on the ice as well. If I remember right there was a piano in the living room and a late 50s/early 60s Imperial that would be parked (and admired) on the lower part of the property. Not only was Doug smart, but he was kind and humble as well, helping this guy get through long division without making me feel like I was dumb. In the spring, close to the end of the school year, we would have relay races on the road that ran through the school for bragging rights and Doug could always be depended to get us off to a head start from the other class, golden hair blowing in the wind with that long stride of his. Thoughtful as always, Doug reached out to me to wish me a happy birthday this year and rest assured that "fair haired lad" of the Valley will sorely be missed.