Neysa Picklum

May 20, 1928 - December 29, 2020

Neysa Picklum, 92, passed away peacefully at her home on December 29, 2020. She was born Neysa June McNeley on May 20, 1928 in Des Moines, to Glen Golden McNeley and Marjorie Haussman McNeley. She is predeceased by her parents, husband of 68 years Warren Picklum, and brothers David McNeley and Jim McNeley. She is survived by her sister Joanne Middleton of Ben Lomond, CA; children, Roger Picklum (Terrie Schultz) of Oakland, CA, and Sandra Molly Krause (Turk) of Cedar Falls IA; grandchildren Devon Picklum and Laurel Picklum; step-grandchildren Adam Krause, Noah Krause, Abigail Huettl, Alizah Maas; and many nieces and nephews. When she was a young girl growing up in Des Moines, Neysa’s Aunt Katherine told her to never mind what people expect of girls, you can do what you want to do! She attributed her life-long love of science to her father, and received a bachelor's degree in botany from Iowa State University in 1951, where she and her husband were briefly involved in efforts to integrate married student housing. They settled in Cedar Falls, where she later earned a teaching certificate from University of Northern Iowa, and she enjoyed a long career as a high school science teacher. The family loved to go on camping and canoe trips, and on the many car journeys would always have to stop by inviting fields or canyons to investigate rocks and plants and insects. One of Neysa’s passions was gender equity in education. She was a leader in the Cedar Falls branch of the American Association of University Women, and was instrumental in organizing programs to raise awareness of equity issues in schools. Neysa was also an avid genealogist, and worked with B-29 veterans’ groups to research the death of her brother David, whose plane was shot down over Osaka, Japan during WWII. Neysa’s love of science and nature was apparent in her beautiful garden. Her hostas will miss her, as will everyone who knew her. The family is profoundly grateful to Mercy One Home Health and Cedar Valley Hospice for their compassion and care, and the wonderful friends she held dear to her heart.