Rae-Jean Marie Neumann

Rae-Jean Marie Neumann was a life-long resident of Harney County from pioneer stock and fourth generation on the Thompson Family Ranch near Princeton and Diamond, OR. Her life and legacy’s unfathomable impact cannot be matched. As a teacher she shared priceless knowledge, values and wisdom her students will carry for the rest of their lives. To her children she was the greatest mother, role model and grammar instructor the world had ever seen.

She was born to Nevin and Shirley Thompson on May 17, 1955 in Burns, OR. She was the oldest of six siblings, a role she took seriously. No temple was safe when a sleepy head was looking for a shoulder on family road trips; her finger was ready to stop any unsuspecting sibling from using her as a pillow. She was a smart cookie and first-rate student, while remaining active in 4-H and sports. Her earliest years at Diamond Elementary were cherished memories in her educational journey. Rae-Jean was an excellent beef showman, show-woman, whatever, and the greatest by many accounts. This was a skill she passed on to her children, but none claim to be as good as she was. She loved livestock and was an outstanding judge of herd quality, once representing the Harney County livestock judging team at the Pacific International Livestock Exposition in Portland. She was a sprinter in track and field. As no one ever saw her race her daughter, Lydia, who was faster remains a mystery.

Rae-Jean graduated from Crane High School in 1973. She attended Eastern Oregon University where she started her journey to become a dedicated teacher, pausing a few years to start a family. Rae-Jean worked several years at the Malheur National Forest Service office, and then for the Harney County Health Department.

After some twists, turns, and several bumps in the road, she completed her education degree, and became the teacher at Double O. During this chapter, her dedication to her profession and providing for her children meant driving thousands of miles over several years down dirt roads, countless flat tires, night time run-ins with horses and cows, and sacrificing one Ford Festiva. She eventually went full circle, returning to teach at Diamond Elementary, retiring 14 years later. She was proud of every student she taught, even if she had to wag a finger a time or two.

She cursed technology in general, but especially in the classroom. She knew machines were robbing students of their creativity, imagination, and critical thinking skills; Ms. Neumann remained “old school” as much as she could. She maintained the feel of chalk on the board and pencil on paper ingrained the lesson in the mind of the student. Teaching was not just a livelihood, it was a passion for her.

Her children maintain that teaching her to text was an arduous task that involved wine and obnoxious jokes about Middelfart, Denmark (a real place).

Rae-Jean refused to slow down after retirement, continuing to work as a substitute teacher while occasionally helping her sister Gretchen and brother David at the Hotel Diamond. She was never one to turn down trips to Solvang, CA, wine tasting adventures, visiting Minnesota cousins, or opportunities to see her grandbabies. She loved music, often participating in the Harney County Chamber Music Society concerts in the choir. Her Thompson-Frazier and Svendsen-Brandt family histories were dear to her heart.

She was tragically taken from us the afternoon September 5th. Rae-Jean is dearly remembered by family, friends, and all who appreciated her humor and genius for trivia. Her capacity for remembering historical events, birthdates and phone numbers was absolutely astounding. An avid reader and history buff, she could practically recite every battle of WWII. More than anything, she will be remembered for her kindness to all.

Rae-Jean is survived by her mother Shirley, sister and lifelong friend, Gretchen (Dan) Nichols, brothers and first pupils, Martin (Martha), David (Ramonda), Nevin (Andrea), and Warren (Lisa) Thompson; her three children and greatest pupils, Claire (Will) Kehoe, Lydia (Bret) Bossout and Carl Neumann; her biggest fans and grandchildren, Wyatt and Morgan Kehoe, Reid and Patrick Bossout, Mckinlee, Abel, and Macklin Neumann, and honorary granddaughter Amorita, the crochet fiend; and Danish cousins in the Midwest. Rae-Jean will be missed by her nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and -nephews who will remember her as Great Green Bean. She is waiting on the other side with her father Nevin, Aunt Shirley Thompson, nephew Martin Thompson, Jr, great-niece Adeline (Addie) Steen, and hordes of other beloved relatives because there are too many to name.

Rae-Jean was a member of God’s family, and attended both First Lutheran Church in Burns and Crane Fellowship Church in Crane.

Saturday, September 19th, at 11:00 a.m., a celebration of life, remembrance, and luncheon will be held in the Harney County Church of the Nazarene, in Hines, OR which will include the use of the technology she abhorred. Prior to this, the graveside interment is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. in the Burns Cemetery, for anyone who wishes to attend.

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. John 16:22