John C. Neifer

SERVICE FOLDER

SERVICE PHOTOS (uploaded soon)

JOHN'S FUNERAL (Facebook Live at approximately 10:20 am)

John C. Neifer, 77, Eureka, SD, died Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the Avera Eureka Healthcare Center.

John Christian Neifer, son of Ella (Wolff) and Lenhart Neifer, was born at the Eureka Community Hospital on November 10, 1948. He was brought up in Moscow Twp, McPherson County, 19 miles northeast of Hosmer, SD. His formal education consisted of Moscow Township Rural School and Hosmer High School (Class of 1967). After farming with his dad for one year, John began serving his country in the United States Army. He spent most of his time in Thailand where he was a Military Policeman during the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge on January 23, 1970, he returned to the farm. John married Cindy Beck on May 26, 1979, at the Eureka Reformed Church. They settled on John's homeplace where they lived until 2018, when they relocated into Eureka. John continued farming from town until June 2022 when his health would no longer allow. John was an active church member, first of the Hosmer Reformed Church and, since 1992, the Eureka Reformed Church. He also served on the Leola Co-op Board, McPherson County Extension Board, Eureka School Board, Schmeckfest Committee, was a lifetime member of the Eureka VFW and a 56-year member of Adolph Forkel Legion Post No. 189, Hosmer, SD, where he held offices of drill squad commander, adjutant, finance officer, and Legion Post commander. John was a farmer through and through, however he did have some favorite pastimes such as enjoying and dancing to old-time music and dancing to waltzes which were his favorite, attending bull sales, and driving in the country with Cindy looking at the cattle and crops. They enjoyed several bus tours and trips together. One fond memory many people share is of John portraying Lawrence Welk at several talent shows. The German accent was authentic!

John's funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.

John is survived by Cindy, his wife of 46 years; one son, Travis (Maria) Neifer of Hosmer; two daughters-Jeanne Josten of Sioux Falls, SD and Carmen (Chris) Anderson of Lakeville, MN; one brother-LeRoy (Karen) Neifer of Hosmer; two sisters-Shirley Linde of New Castle, Delaware and Elaine Tomek of Aberdeen, SD; and nine grandchildren-Jameson and Everett Josten; Caden, Kevin, Corbin, and Kelsey Anderson; and Avery, Camden, and Clara Neifer.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lenhart, on March 22, 1994; his mother, Ella, on November 10, 2005; and infant twin brothers, Milo and Melvin, in 1940.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 AM, Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Eureka Reformed Church led by Pastor Jimmy John Hall. Interment, with military graveside rites by the Hosmer Legion Post, follows at the Eureka Cemetery. Organist will be Wes Schaible and he and Earl Mehlhaff will play "Strausburg Waltz" on accordion; Congregational Hymns will be It is Well with My Soul", "Great is Thy Faithfulness"; and usher will be Glenn Opp.

Casket bearers will be son, Travis Neifer; son-in-law, Chris Anderson; grandsons, Caden and Kevin Anderson; nephew, Mike Neifer of Hosmer; and nephew, Philip Beck of Artas, SD.

Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00-7:00 PM at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.

Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.