Galen Francis Neuzil

Galen Neuzil, age 70, left this world August 7, 2026 with his family at his side in Dakota, MN overlooking the Mississippi River, where he loved to fish, watch barges and trains move past, maneuver his boats through the lock and dams, and admire flocks of migrating birds.

Galen was born to Marlyse (Jirak) and Frank E. Neuzil and grew up on a farm near Fort Atkinson, IA. He graduated from Turkey Valley Community School in 1974 and studied at Ryder Technical Institute where he was certified as an auto/diesel mechanic.

He worked at Central Motors in Spillville, IA, Rochester Motor Cars, McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing in Dodge Center and retired from Zumbrota Bearing and Gear. During his career he pivoted from hands-on mechanic work to specialize in customer service and build personal relationships with clients across the country.

Besides motor vehicles, he could fix almost anything worth fixing. That gift could be a curse as friends and family regularly needed help installing floors and toilets and repairing snowblowers and lawnmowers. He preferred teaching people to fix things themselves, but most folks didn’t have the knack.

He married Teresa Kramer of rural Adams, MN, a Mayo Clinic registered nurse. Their first date was at her family’s pond on the Minnesota-Iowa State Line when he and his friends rode up on motorcycles and crashed a neighborhood party. They wed at St. John’s Catholic Church of Johnsburg, but his home parish priest participated, delivering a sermon proclaiming their union a perfect fit, blessed by heaven, because Galen repaired machines and Teresa repaired people. The two recently celebrated their 42nd anniversary. They lived most of their lives outside Mantorville, MN but retired to their river house, never tiring of the panoramic view.

Galen was an accomplished bass fisherman but enjoyed recalling the time he unexpectantly landed a 40-inch muskie. He was dismissive about his catch, explaining he’d had small-mouth bass put up bigger fights.

Teaching their daughter, Rachel, to fish and fix things brought Galen joy as she kept him company on his boat and in his shed.

He had a gregarious personality; to meet Galen, was to make a new friend.

He was proud of his Czech heritage, speaking the language, savoring the food - especially home-made kolaches. A trip to Prague with Teresa and Rachel remained a special memory.

Galen is survived and by his wife, Teresa; daughter, Rachel Neuzil (Ryan Koehler;) his Chilean exchange-student daughter, Dominique Meynet Martin (Jose Luis Hernandez Rivera); his loyal dog Buddy; his sister Carol Neuzil of Spring Valley, MN; and brother Kevin Neuzil (Mary Ann) of Cresco, IA.

He is also mourned by the large extended family he married into, mother-in-law Ruth (Spartz) Kramer; brothers-in-law Michael Kramer (Laura Knox); Richard Kramer (Oti); Steven Kramer (Mary); sisters-in-law Julie Kramer (Joe Kimball), Bonnie Brang, Mary Kramer, and Kathy Loecher (Jim – Galen’s favorite fishing partner); and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents William and Emma Jirak and John and Elenora Neuzil; brothers-in-law Kevin Levos and Roy Brang; father-in-law Harold Kramer.

Galen had thick handsome hair that neither age nor chemotherapy could thin. He was recently diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare muscle cancer. For more than 30 years, Galen’s family fielded a team with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Dodge County. Memorials preferred to this cause at https://tinyurl.com/yae8se4e

Funeral services will be held September 12 at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Kasson, MN; visitation at 10 am, mass at 11 am followed by a celebration of life luncheon.