Legacy of faith
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BOUNTIFUL, Utah — Sister LeAnn Neuenschwander was remembered for her "legacy of faith, sacrifice, love and service" — and for lasting friendships made throughout the world.
Sister Neuenschwander died July 13, 2007, in Bountiful at age 66. She was diagnosed with cancer nearly a year ago.
Her husband, Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the Seventy, their four sons, other relatives and friends crowded the Stone Creek Ward meetinghouse in Bountiful, Utah, on July 17 for her funeral.
She was honored by President Gordon B. Hinckley, who spoke during the proceedings, along with his first counselor in the First Presidency, President Thomas S. Monson. Also offering remarks were Elder Earl C. Tingey of the Presidency of the Seventy; Bradley Neuenschwander, a son; Robert Clement, a brother; and Sister Mary Hales, wife of Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve and a friend. Bishop Rodney E. Nordfors conducted the service.
In his remarks, President Hinckley first expressed tenderness and sympathy toward Elder Neuenschwander. "Our hearts reach out to you today. We love you, we pray for you, we appreciate you. We ask that the Lord will comfort you and bless you in the terrible loss which you have sustained.
"The Lord has said, 'Thou shall live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die,... that (they) that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them' (Doctrine and Covenants 42:45-46).
"I'm satisfied that for Sister Neuenschwander, this has been a sweet experience, but for you it is a time of great sadness. It's a terrible, terrible thing to lose your companion, your beloved associate of so many years. I know that, I can testify to that. You never get over it. There's always a haunting loneliness, but also there is the assurance that as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. And we have the assurance that as we live just so surely shall we live immortally."
Directing remarks to Elder Neuenschwander, President Hinckley said, "You and Sister Neuenschwander have been real pioneers of this Church in Russia, in Ukraine and that part of the world. You've been unique in your understanding of the Russian language. There are only a handful of people who are part of our organization that speak it, but you speak it with fluency. The Lord has blessed you and made you extremely useful in His purposes."
Calling it a "marvelous service honoring LeAnn," President Monson lauded the General Authority's wife for her willingness to leave home and family to support her husband in his Church service. "We men go where we're sent. But think how hard it is for a woman to leave her grandchildren. They're growing. New ones are arriving."
Continuing, President Monson said: "In the First Presidency of the Church, we have felt comfortable when we have sent Dennis and LeAnn anywhere in this world, regardless of the language, regardless of the difficulty, regardless of the newness of entering into a particular nation. They went and did what the Lord commanded. Henceforth there is laid up for them a crown of righteousness in the kingdom of heaven."
President Monson urged the Neuenschwander family to teach Sister Neuenschwander's legacy of service and love to her grandchildren. "Remind them that they sang at her service," he said, referring to the little ones singing "Families Can Be Together Forever" during the funeral.
Elder Tingey referred to the "almost three decades of service, most of which was international" to the Church that Elder and Sister Neuenschwander have given in various assignments. "The name of Neuenschwander is throughout eastern Europe and much of the good that has been accomplished in that part of the world can be accounted to Dennis and LeAnn as they have lived out among those people, left their family, their children and their grandchildren to bring the blessings of the gospel to these wonderful people."
In her remarks as a personal friend, Sister Hales said Sister Neuenschwander "had a talent for not being temporary in her attitude." As she made homes in overseas nations, she reached out to others and made lasting friendships. "She had mastered the art of blooming wherever you're planted."
Bradley Neuenschwander, a son, used scriptures and stories to "illustrate what a wonderful woman she was and hopefully pay a small tribute to the great memory she leaves us." He said his mother never sought recognition for good deeds and gave service in its truest form.
Robert Clement, a brother, said his sister "raised the bar for us and many others in such a small, subtle way.... The example to follow the Savior while living in the world but not of the world is what LeAnn lived and shared with each of us."
Sister Neuenschwander was born Feb. 11, 1941, in Payson, Utah, to George Leland and Catherine Mendenhall Clement. She and Dennis Neuenschwander were married on June 13, 1963, in the Salt Lake Temple. She served with her husband when he presided over the Austria Vienna East Mission from 1987-1991, when he was sustained to the Second Quorum of the Seventy. In 1994, he was sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy. From 2000-2004, he served in the Presidency of the Seventy. From 2005-2006, he served as president of the Europe East Area.
Music for Sister Neuenschwander's funeral was provided by her grandchildren, as well as a musical number by Laurissa Neuenschwander on the violin and Kristin Neuenschwander on the piano, performing "I Know that My Redeemer Lives," and musical numbers by friends of the family, Lawrence and Jeannie Vincent. Interment was at the Centerville City Cemetery.
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