“Well done, good and faithful servant!” Pastor Jeffrey Neuberger, 73, excitedly went to meet God on Sunday, January 30, 2022 after many years of health issues. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. CST on Wednesday, February 16th at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre. Burial will occur at 1 p.m. MST on Thursday, Feb. 17th at Black Hills National Cemetery. For those unable to attend the services, the funeral can be viewed here:

Jeffrey was born on July 10, 1948 in Bertha, Minnesota to Irene (Gothman) and Carl Neuberger. He spent his youth in Long Prairie and Little Falls, Minnesota.
Jeffrey lived life joyfully to the fullest. If there were ever a man who wanted to try every job in life, it was Jeff. He began his young life selling candy alongside his dad. He worked as a paper boy, warehouse stock clerk and Fuller Brush salesman in his youth. He drove for an armored car business and funeral home. He was a bartender, janitor and manager of a calendar factory. He worked as a golf course manager, turkey farm worker and surgical tech. As a fireman, he pulled two people from a burning home, saving their lives.

He went to college as a calculus major but in his last semester changed his major to nursing, graduating from Mankato State. He served as a nurse, hospital administrator, and nursing home administrator all over the United States. He taught university classes in SD, WY, MN, NE, and IA. After retiring from the medical field, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a pastor. Most recently he was serving as a hospital chaplain on the Avera campus in Pierre, where he made many friends.

He served in the National Guard, Army, and Air Force. He rose in National Guard ranks quickly. In 1968 he was the Company Commander for the 1st of the 194th Armored Calvary. He was the Commander of the Finance Company in Stillwater, MN. Major Jeffrey Neuberger left the Air Force in 1984 with honors and multiple military awards. He was a member of the local American Legion.

In 1985, he married the love of his life, Carla Ronfeldt Opbroek. They promised each other that life would never be boring, and it never was. He delighted his family with his quick wit, ongoing pranks, “dad” jokes, numerous pets and endless supply of ice cream. He was an amazing musician and actor, holding a standing gig at the Braddock, ND Threshing Bee. He was an avid golfer, once getting into trouble because he made the front page of the paper with his hole in one on a Sunday morning, instead of being at church. He loved playing baseball, racquetball, tennis, and softball. He taught his kids to ski, braving the “black diamonds” when his kids dared him. He was an avid runner, training for a marathon when he was diagnosed with cancer at age 50.
His most beloved role was that of husband, father and grandfather. He was the keeper of secrets and loved spoiling his grandchildren with dollar bills, presents and sweets.

God was an important part of his life. He was a member of the Pierre / Fort Pierre Ministerial Association. He dedicated his life to God and spent much time and effort showing others God’s love and praying over everyone, pets included. Even in his final hours, he was still praying for us.

He is survived by his wife, Carla; sister Sharon Lenger; children April (Darin) Hodges, Mathew Opbroek, Clay Opbroek, Michael (Nicole) Opbroek, Christine (Jason) Sands, and Brad (Paula) Krause; grandchildren Luke, Seth and Zach Hodges; Christopher, Isabella, Cassandra, and Michelina Opbroek; Ethan and Conor Opbroek, Barrett and Soren Opbroek; Nathan, Andrew, Patrick, Nicholas and Chloe Sands; and Coleton Krause.

He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father in law Carl and Eileen Ronfeldt, nephews Travis Ronfeldt and Michael Cichon, sister in laws Jan Metzger, Florence Felton, and Dorothy Pastian, and brother in laws Norman Ronfeldt, Gary Metzger, and Bob Pastian.

As Jeffrey would often say, it’s not “Goodbye”, but rather “I’ll see you on the other side!”

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