Erva Lorrayne Schaeffer Neuharth came into this world October 15, 1919 in Ashley, North Dakota. She was the second oldest of five children born to John and Elizabeth (Schmierer) Schaeffer. At the age of four the family moved to Eureka; there she attended grade school and graduated from Eureka High in 1937. Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa and Northern State College in Aberdeen provided her with the educational skills to teach rural schools in the Eureka area for five years and one year in Centerville, South Dakota. During these years she met the handsome love of her life, Richard (Dick) Fred Neuharth. They married May 23, 1942 in Fort Lewis, Washington where Richard was stationed in the military. The couple lived in Washington, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Delaware, California and Northern Alberta, Canada during Dick's four year military career. Erva was employed with the Del Monte factory in both Washington and California. In 1946 they moved to Chicago where Richard attended Coynes Electric School and Erva worked for the Sunbeam factory. Following the completion of Richard's schooling, they returned to Eureka and were blessed with a daughter, Terry Sheila. After the passing of Erva's mother in 1950 the family relocated to her parent's home "on the hill". They lived with and cared for her father for twenty-five years until his death. She was a great homemaker and also served in the position of assistant office manager at the Eureka Community Hospital for fifteen years. Richard and Erva had celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary before Richard's passing in 1994. Erva remained in their home on the hill until 2004 when the Eureka Health Care Center became her home. Erva's passion was music; her life centered around it. If she wasn't playing the piano "by ear" or singing with all her heart, she was listening to someone else's music. Her talent was legendary in the Eureka community. Family and friends would gather around the piano for songfests that would often go into the wee hours of the morning. She loved to "jazz it up" and could play just about anything. Sometimes she'd say "just hum a few bars" and before long she was playing the entire song. Her only grandson, Nathan, inherited her musical abilities and was the joy of her life. Richard and Erva were gracious hosts who enjoyed entertaining and welcomed guests into their home. The two were well-known for dressing up, whether for fancy occasions or masquerade; they definitely enjoyed life and frequently danced away the nights. They enjoyed traveling and during retirement spent several winters in Arizona and Texas. Erva taught Sunday school and was a choir member for many years at the Eureka Reformed Church. She was community minded and active in several organizations including the Eureka Hospital Auxiliary, Order of the Eastern Star, Retired Rural Teachers of South Dakota, Yelduz Shrine Auxiliary, Hobby Extension Club, Women of the Moose, Eureka Senior Center and the United Church of Christ. She was proud to be a charter and life member of the VFW Auxiliary. Erva's compassionate care for her cat family afforded her much pleasure. Her great sense of humor and zest for living served as an example and an inspiration to her many friends. Survivors include her daughter Terry, son-in-law Kelly, and grandson Nathan Ross Klusmann all of Dickinson, North Dakota, two sisters-in law and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, one sister (Esther) and three brothers (Floyd, John and Bob).