Andrea Neuer

Andrea Stephens Espe Neuer, 74, of Park Rapids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, at her daughter’s home near Park Rapids.

Andrea was born Sept. 26, 1935 in Crookston to Leslie and Andrea (Stephens) Espe. At the age of 6, she moved with her family to Minneapolis where she attended the St. Mary’s Episcopal Boarding School in Faribault. She went on to attend Roosevelt High School with the Class of 1953.

She ventured to New York to pursue a career in ballet and theatre. She studied ballet at the American School of Ballet in New York, the Ballet Theatre and Ballet Russe. She also studied jazz and voice from the best instructors in New York City. She performed on Broadway and also toured internationally in a number of musicals; including: “Oklahoma,” “West Side Story,” “Pajama Game,” “On The Town,” “South Pacific,” “Damn Yankees,” “Carousel,” “Red Head,” “Carnival” and “Finian’s Rainbow.” In addition, Andrea was a gifted high diver and dove professionally for a number of years.

In 1962, Andrea’s performing career was cut short by a motorcycle accident while on a Broadway tour.

On Sept. 26, 1964, Andrea was united in marriage to Albert Philip Neuer in Point Reyes, Calif. This union was blessed with two children, Chris and Heidi. Over her lifetime, Andrea made her home in Minneapolis, California, Park Rapids, Ashville, N.C. and Florida before returning to Park Rapids. In her “second wind”, Andrea taught dance from ballet to ballroom to children as well as adults.

She owned and operated a ballet studio in Park Rapids which she called the Ballet Academy for many years. She coached conditioning for the varsity basketball team at Hamline University in St. Paul and diving for both the Park Rapids varsity and junior varsity teams from 1978 to 1984.

She served as an instructor at the Greenway Athletic Club in Minneapolis and also served as a private instructor for English horsemanship, figure skating, and breath control for singers and musicians.

She authored two publications, “Ideokinesis of Functional Movement- the effects on Posture and Body Use” and “Good Old Days” a historic play, which was commissioned and funded by the Minnesota State Arts Council.

She also wrote and directed two plays in Park Rapids. She was a long time member of the Actor’s Equity Union. Andrea’s energy and talents touched the lives of many who knew her as a performer, instructor, coach or friend. Above all, Andrea devoted her life to her children who she loved with all her heart.

She will be lovingly remembered by her son, Chris L. Neuer of Burnsville; daughter, Heidi Neuer of Park Rapids; three grandsons, Alex Arthur Koester of New York City, Marcus Allen Koester of Minneapolis and Tyler Neuer of Burnsville; special friend, Pam Wasche Wilson of Park Rapids who was like a second daughter.

A celebration of Andrea’s life will be held in late spring when the lilacs are in bloom on Saturday, June 5. Family and friends will be notified as to the time or you can check the Web site www.jonespearson.com for more information and to view her video tribute and leave online condolences.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Alexandria Humane Society.

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