Crystal Lynn Neuhaus
Bettendorf, Iowa
Died on Monday, February 4th, 2013

Crystal Lynn Neuhaus, 52, of Bettendorf, slipped quietly into the arms of God on Monday, February 4, 2013 surrounded by her husband, Tom, son, Brock and daughter, Kara at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 10 AM Saturday, February 9, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 North Brady, Davenport, with Rev. Peter Marty officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM on Thursday, February 7, also at the church. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Oakdale Memorial Gardens, Davenport.

Crystal was born in Dubuque, Iowa in 1960, the daughter of Robert and Mary Henkes. A standout student and athlete, she graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1978, earning a full scholarship to the University of Iowa. She was one of the first women ever to earn that honor. As a Hawkeye, Crystal competed on the women's volleyball team for four years, and earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1983. On June 16, 1984, she married her high school sweetheart, Tom Neuhaus, in Dubuque.

Nurturing others was truly one of Crystal's greatest gifts, and it made her perfectly suited to teach Kindergartners. She began her teaching career in the Scales Mound School District, and later taught in the East Marshall district. Most recently, she taught Kindergarten at Riverdale Heights Elementary School in the Pleasant Valley School District. As an educator, she has touched and nurtured the lives of countless young people and her presence will be dearly missed among students and colleagues alike.

To honor Crystal's lifelong devotion to kids and education, the family prefers memorials in lieu of flowers to the Pleasant Valley Education Foundation to establish the Crystal Neuhaus Memorial Scholarship. [Contributions to the Foundation in Crystal's memory may be mailed to: Pleasant Valley School District, 525 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722.]

Crystal's nurturing spirit was never more evident than at home where she enjoyed being actively involved in the lives and activities of her family. She and Tom were blessed with five children: Brock and Kara, who survive, and triplet sons, Ryan, Taylor and Christopher who died at birth in 1993. Among her favorite activities were coaching her children's youth sports teams, supporting Pleasant Valley athletics and family vacations. Because she loved and appreciated the beauty of nature in flowers, plants and wildlife, many memorable family vacations included hiking in National Parks. Always armed with her camera, she took great joy in snapping photos on vacations and at sporting events, sharing the prints with others "just because".

Her genuine sincerity and humble spirit made her a wonderful friend to many special people, which, in turn, blessed her with many special friendships which she truly cherished.

In addition to her husband, Tom, and her kids, Brock and Kara, Crystal is survived by her parents, Bob and Mary Henkes of Dubuque; brothers and sisters in law, Dana & Connie Henkes and their kids Jeremy and Stephanie and Perry & Jill Henkes and their kids, Connor and Kristin, all of Dubuque; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.

Words of encouragement and online condolences may be expressed to Crystal's family by completing the Condolence Box below.