Brunhilde Ida Neff (Oma) peacefully passed away on January 16, 2018, in Everett, Washington with her loving family by her side. She was born October 9, 1932, in Goldach, Switzerland to Anton and Ida Buschor. Family was important to Oma from the start, she loved the country that she came from and visited frequently. After receiving a business degree, she married Jacob Neff, her husband of 62 years, on June 1, 1954. They traveled shortly thereafter to America, where they settled in Washington State, dairy farming. Opa and Oma continued to pass on the Swiss traditions to their family through Swiss dancing, playing cards, and listening to Swiss music. She owned Smokey Point Travel, where she made many friends and shared her love of traveling. Opa and Oma traveled around the world and enjoyed their life together. She never knew a stranger and was known for her feisty nature. She taught us through example of dedication, love, kindness and family. Oma enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, hiking, traveling, visiting with friends, and family trips to Spectacle Lake. Family get togethers were most important to her, including weekly lunch dates with her kids and grandkids (the more the merrier).
She is survived by her five children: Jacob (Carrie) Neff, Marcus Neff, Simon (Cherene) Neff, Heidi (Steve) Atterson, Gretchen (Guy) Jones, and Valerie Neff. She is also survived by her wonderful grandchildren, Jacob (Rachel) Neff, Melissa (Andrew) Albert, Emily Neff, Christoph (Felicia) Neff, Jennifer (Kreig) Holland, Amanda Neff (Steven), Marcus Neff (Anke), Jessica (Dan) Ely, Nicole Neff, Simon Neff (Allison), Andrea (Kenton) Childers, Alex Neff, Steve Atterson (Robyn), Chrissy (Jeremy) Didrickson; along with 14 great grandchildren, and her best friends, Angie and Matthias. She was also survived by her siblings, Doris Stubi, Peter (Lydia) Buschor, Jurg (Marcella) Buschor, and Anni Buschor, together with many loving nieces and nephews, all from Switzerland. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jacob Neff; her parents and her brothers, Anton Buschor, Rudy Buschor and brother in law, Karl Stubi.
Thank you to Simon’s family for opening their home to Oma and Opa for many years. Services will be held Friday, January 26, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Arlington, with reception to follow. Donations can be made to St. Jude Hospital, SSCT Swiss Kids Kamp, or the Monroe Swiss Colony.