Andrea G Neu

VERONA - Andrea G. Neu, age 85, passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2023, at Agrace HospiceCare, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. She was born in Shawano, Wis., on April 25, 1938, to Ervin and Viola Gehm.

Andrea was raised in Green Bay, Wis., and graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1956. She married her high school sweetheart, Frank G. Neu, on Aug. 11, 1956. They had two children, Patrick and Debra, whom they raised in Madison. Andrea attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, while raising her two children. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, and food science. Andrea dedicated her entire career to marketing and promoting Wisconsin dairy products. Andrea was the VP of Marketing Service and Senior VP of Corporate Communications at Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. After “retirement” from WMMB, she opened Image Maker, a consulting firm specializing in brand development for the specialty food market. Andrea also worked with Dairy Business Innovation Center (DBIC), promoting Wisconsin Dairy for over 100 small artisan dairy producers in the state until 2018. She was passionate, caring, and dedicated to all those she worked with and mentored throughout her entire 40 years in dairy promotion.

Andrea and Frank made their dreams come to life by building their cherished log cabin in northern Wisconsin in 1992. Built on Frank’s family's property surrounding Shay Lake, the cottage became their favorite place on earth to gather family and friends. Andrea spent many hours gardening, planting, raking, and pruning the natural landscape of the Northwoods. Andrea loved to share this special place with her four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She attended all sporting events, special school performances, award ceremonies, and all graduations for her grandchildren. Her greatest pride and joy was being a Grandma, and most recently, a Gigi.

In her “limited” free time, Andrea enjoyed planting, and maintaining her beautiful gardens, full of a wide variety of annual and perennial flowers. She was passionate about genealogy, which guided her to extensively research both the Gehm and Neu family lineages. She was proud of her German heritage, and embodied the strong, determined, and sometimes stubborn characteristics of being German. Andrea and Frank loved entertaining family and friends. They held extravagant parties where Wisconsin cheese was always the highlight of the event. They were a part of a monthly gourmet cooking group that explored unique and worldly cuisine.

Andrea is survived by her children, Patrick (Sara) Neu and Debra Neu; grandchildren, Michelle (Ian) Maland, Aubrie (Diondray) Premo, Alex (Cierra) Neu and Adam Neu; great-grandchildren, Braylon, Brooks, Brienna and Cade; brother Michael (Mary) Gehm; brother-in-law, John Neu; sister-in-law, Donna Neu; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank G. Neu; parents, Ervin and Viola Gehm; sister-in-law, Mary Alyce Radowski; brothers-in-law, Walter Radowski and Robert Neu; many cousins and close friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, with a formal service at 2 p.m., followed by a social gathering with hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.

Thank you to Agrace HospiceCare, Oak Park Place, BrightStar, and UW Carbone Cancer Center, who were an integral part of her cancer treatment and care. They guided us through a challenging time by providing resources, support, and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution honoring Andrea Neu to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Fitchburg, WI, 53711 or online at www.agrace.org/donate.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002