Neal Everett Gohring, 86, of Apple Valley, MN, peacefully passed away on September 4, 2026.

Neal was born on February 26, 1935 to Edward and Opal Gohring in the small community of Onawa, Iowa. Neal had two siblings, Roger and Margaret. After graduating from high school, Neal attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and played football on a conference championship winning team. On a blind date he met his future wife, Hazel, and later, overlooking the football field, he proposed.

After two years of college, Neal left for Naval Reserve recruit training at the United States Naval training Center, Great Lakes in Illinois. Neal served as Fire Chief on Midway Island in the Pacific for the following year. He returned to Iowa for one month, in which he married Hazel on September 2, 1956. They drove to Bremerton, Washington to complete his Navy service, decommissioning the Battleship Missouri. When the two of them returned to Iowa, Neal continued his education by completing his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts at Wayne State University. He began a teaching career in Fremont, Nebraska. It was here that Neal and Hazel bought their first home and their children, Jeff and Carol, were born. Life took them to Fort Dodge, Iowa, Ogden, Iowa and Norwalk, Iowa. Neal completed his master’s degree at Warensburg College during his summers. He taught school and coached various sports during these years, but was also a trusted handyman, building garages, remodeling homes, and working on engines.

Neal left his teaching position to work at Delevan, designing and fabricating nozzles for many types of equipment, including the space shuttles. During that time Neal was a key designer of a new patented design.

When Neal and Hazel retired, they moved to Sun City West, Arizona. Neal enjoyed golfing, playing on a softball league, and traveling with Hazel. Wanting to escape the valley, they built a home in Peyson, Arizona, and lived there until they opted to be near family. After finding a new home in Farmington, MN, Neal and Hazel were able to be much more involved with some of their grandchildren. Not many years later, their son, Jeff, moved to Minnesota to join the family.

Neal is survived by his children, Jeff Gohring and Carol Bolin (Chad Bolin), his sister Margaret (Klino), his grandchildren Andrew Bolin, Rachel Bolin, Jonah Bolin, and Carley Gohring, and his great-grandson, Ezreal Bolin.

Neal was preceded in death by wife, Hazel Gohring, his parents, Edward and Opal Gohring, his brother, Roger Gohring, and his sister who died shortly after birth.

A small, private memorial service will be held at Orchard Path, 5400 157 th Street, Apple Valley, MN on October 14 th at 9:30 am. Neal’s ashes will be interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.