To view a streaming of the service access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas

To view the flowers from Neal's service, click here: Neal Feist Flowers

N eal Feist, 89, Velva, died Thursday, April 13, 2023 in his home.

Neal Joseph Feist was born on January 13, 1934 near Velva, ND to Joe and Ruth (Olson) Feist. He was raised on a farm near Velva. He attended Velva School and graduated valedictorian of his class in 1952. Neal was active in FFA, Football, Basketball, and Baseball. He furthered his education (desiring a career in engineering) at Minot State University where he played football until health conditions prevented him from doing so.

Neal married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Fry, on February 20, 1954 at Oak Valley Lutheran Church in Velva. They made their home on the East edge of Velva where they raised their family of five. He had a gift to see a vision and the desire and drive to make it happen through his strong work ethic, perseverance, and self-discipline.

Neal owned and operated Feist Processing, a meat processing business in Velva. In 1966, he started a similar business in Minot, called Dakota Meats. Neal eventually sold that business to Cloverdale Meats in 1980 and managed the plant for them until he retired in the spring of 2006. He went on to help his sons farm and ranch until the summer of 2022.

Neal was a member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church and enjoyed attending the three nearby country churches, and most recently, the United Methodist Church of Velva. He was an avid Velva Aggie Booster and very supportive of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in all of their many activities. Neal remained community minded his entire life in both Velva and Minot as a judge for many FFA & 4-H events. Never one to shy away from an endeavor, Neal was instrumental in bringing the Salers Cattle Breed to the United States in the 1970's. He was a humble man who gave generously of his time, talents, and treasures. He believed in God, family, friends, country, education, and in working hard. He loved nature, farming, ranching, and sports.

Neal's loving family includes children: Dawn (Greg) Haga of Velva, Beth (Joe) Stenvold of Minot, Nita (Randy) Effertz of Velva, David (Michele) Feist of Velva, and Brad (Janyce) Feist of Velva; grandchildren: Mandy (Tyler) Gronli, Seth Gaugler, BriAnn (Brett) Ramberg, Dustin Stenvold, Brittney (Rob) Roehrich, Danielle (Reid) Hanson, Brittany Feist, Kaitlin Feist, Bo (Jess) Feist, and Jami Feist; great grandchildren: Sloan Gronli, Hayden and Huck Ramberg, Avery Hanson, Blake and Emma Feist; siblings: Ramona Cain, Donovan (Margie) Feist, and Curt (Bonnie) Feist; in-laws: Mary Feist, Janet Fry, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Neal was preceded in death by his wife Virginia, parents Joe and Ruth, grandson David Michael Feist, great grandson Talon Michael Ramberg, siblings Phyllis (Glendon) Kriese, Marcella (Joe) Ramsbacher and Eugene Feist, mother-and father in-law Harry and Martha Fry and in-laws Jean (Lawerence) Nelson, Harry (Avis) Fry, Edson (Ardell) Fry, Gordon Fry, Donald Fry and Manford Cain along with a niece and three nephews.

Celebration of Life For Neal Feist: 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2023 at Oak Valley Lutheran Church of Velva. To view a streaming of the service access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
Interment: Velva Community Cemetery, Velva, ND
Visitation: Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home of Minot.
Memorials preferred to: Oak Valley, United Methodist, Velva Aggies.