Nova Francis (Grecian) Neuhaus

Nova Francis Neuhaus, 100, of Amarillo, passed away one November 28, 2024. Celebration of Life Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Tuesday December 3, 2024 at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive with Buddy Young officiating.

Nova was born, on a farm, in rural Graham County, Kansas to Carl and Violet Grecian.  She was seven years old, when siblings Ida and Lester had to assume most of the responsibility for raising her, due to Violet’s untimely death.

Nova graduated from Palco High School in 1942, then attended Fort Hays State College. She married Frank Hayes in 1943.  During World War II, Frank was a Sgt. in the United States Army, which resulted in the couple living on numerous military bases, until he discharged. They returned to Graham Co. and farmed for several years.  During that time, two children Ben and Karla were born. Frank began pursuing a different career path and the family relocated to the Fruita/Grand Junction area of Colorado. They became members of Fruita Faith Baptist Church. Nova’s beautiful voice led her to becoming primary soloist for the church choir and in demand, as a vocalist, at many weddings and funerals, in the area. She also began singing with the Sweet Adeline’s organization. Nova started her bookkeeping/accounting career at Fruita State Bank.

Nova became a single mom in 1961.  Raising two children kept her busy and in pursuit of better paying job opportunities.  She worked several years for Western Colorado Milk Producers Association, before joining the City of Grand Junction’s accounting department. When the City Manager landed an executive position with the corporate offices of Best Western/Best Eastern Motels, he took his top 3 employees, one being Nova, with him to Phoenix, Az. One year of Arizona heat and she was ready to go back to the mountains.  The City of Los Alamos, N.M. offered her a position and to the mountains she went.

Moving to the Amarillo area, to be closer to family, she met and married Hugh Neuhaus and relocated to his home in Clarendon. She became the director of the Senior Citizens Center there.  After Hugh’s death, Nova returned to Amarillo and assumed the Volunteer Coordinator position before becoming the director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), retiring at age 76.  She was also a member of several non- profit advisory boards.

Nova was a mover and a shaker, a fun mom, grandmother, great grandmother, and got to hold and spend time, on her 100th birthday, with great- great -granddaughter Charlie.

Nova was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Neuhaus; parents, Carl and Violet Grecian; sister, Ida Adams; and brother, Lester Grecian.

Survivors include her son Ben and wife, Marty, of Kansas City, Ks; daughter, Karla Stewart, of Amarillo; granddaughter Shannon Baucom and husband, Sam; great grandchildren Nik Baucom and wife Bekah; Samantha Baucom; Hunter Stewart and wife Andie; great-great-granddaughter Charlie; numerous nieces and nephews.