David Clare Neiswanger, 83, Austin, dies

AUSTIN -- David Clare Neiswanger, 83, of Route 3, former editor of The Unionist, died of diabetes and prostate cancer Tuesday (Jan. 2, 1996) at Comforcare Care Center in Austin after a long illness.

He was born Jan. 25, 1912, in Omaha, Neb. Mr. Neiswanger was one of the founding members of Local P-9 and remained a strong supporter of organized labor, both in The Unionist, the newspaper of Local P-9, and in the spoken word. He was editor of The Unionist for 29 years. A former alderman from the 3rd Ward, he was a key player in establishing the municipal airport. Also, he served on the first committee of the Austin Symphony, was treasurer of the YMCA for many years, including during the time when funds were secured for the new building, served on the committee which founded the Austin Rehabilitation Center, and served on the lay committee for schools at the time Ellis Junior High School was being built. He was a Red Cross volunteer, served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and was often master of ceremonies at civic events. He enjoyed sports and was served as president of the Austin Baseball Club in the Southern Minnesota League in 1956. From 1946 to 1956 he was Mower County DFL chairman, was a former DFL district chairman, and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1952 and 1960. During retirement he raised animals and traveled.

Survivors include his wife, Rachel; two daughters, Tucky Ann (Mrs. Kinley) Eittreim of Birmingham, Ala., and Jane (Mrs. Lyman) Lundquist of Austin, Texas; two sons, Stephen of Austin and Kurt of Minneapolis; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A sister preceded him in death.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, with the Rev. James I. Mikkelson officiating. Burial will be in Cedar City Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in Austin and an hour before the service at the church. A Masonic service will be conducted by Fidelity Lodge 39 A.F. &; A.M. at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or Austin Public Library.