Colonel Neal John Landeen, aged 65, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully in his home on July 1st, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 11th, 1959, to Glen and Nada Hult Landeen.

Neal graduated from Lincoln High School in 1977 and enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he served in many roles, including Marine Security Guard. While guarding the American embassy in Hong Kong in 1980, he met a young woman from New York who was visiting her sister and brother-in-law: the love of his life, Laurie Stanley Landeen.

Neal continued his life of service, going back to college and being commissioned as an officer in the Air Force. He obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master's degree from Central Michigan University. He continued to serve in the USAF as a commander, all while supporting his wife's incredible career as an OB/GYN physician and helping to raise their four children. He rose to the rank of Colonel in the USAF and served multiple deployments overseas for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as domestic deployments with Port Mortuary. During his last deployment in Afghanistan, Neal was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding commitment and leadership. He retired in 2018 with 41 years of military service. His children have all been inspired by this, and his three sons have followed in his footsteps with their careers of military service.

Neal's love and commitment to his family were unwavering. He is survived by his wife Laurie; their children, Glen (Kimberly), Ryan (Susan), Kelly (Paul), and Kyle; his four beautiful grandbabies, Brayden, Harper, Quinn, and Owen; his brother Vern (Sheri); Vern's children Ana (Nicholas), Ian, and Ty (Taylor); and his sisters-in-law Bonnie (Wayne) and Colleen (Cindy). He was predeceased by his parents.

In his free time, Neal enjoyed hunting with close friends and family, working on the family farms, boating at Lake Madison, and skiing in the Black Hills. He will be remembered for many things, but mostly for going above and beyond to support the three most important things to him: Integrity, family, and service.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Neal's life at 7 PM, with family present to greet friends beginning at 5 PM on Thursday, August 1st, at Miller Funeral Home – Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57108. This date is special, marking exactly 44 years since he met Laurie. He will be interred at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, where Laurie's parents are also buried.

Celebration of Neal's life will be live-streamed on Miller Funeral Home's YouTube page. To watch the service live, please click on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/AiYtqe5cJyc?feature=share

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center or the Wounded Warrior Project in Neal's memory.

The Landeen family would like to thank each and every person who showed us love during this trying time. You all are a testament to how special Neal was - he left the world a better place by simply being Neal.