Neta Allene Case

Neta came to Rochester with her family in 1912 at age 12, where her father Charles established one of the first automobile businesses in town. She had grown up on a 400-acre farm in Orion Township in Olmsted County and then her family lived in Chatfield for a year before coming here.

The very first church her family attended was Grace Universalist Church (our second building in Rochester). Neta remained a member of the church until her death in 1993. She was a celebrity participant in our 125th Anniversary celebration in 1991. At that time she was the only church member who had worshiped in 3 of our 4 (at that time) churches, including First Universalist and the Walden Lane church.

Neta retired from Mayo Clinic in 1964 after a 31 year career in the Exhibits Department. A photo from her retirement reception shows Dr. Arthur Bulbulian presenting her with a retirement certificate. He was a dentist who was a central figure in the Mayo team which developed the oxygen mask required by fighter pilots in World War II, did extensive work in preparation of scientific exhibits, and was the founding Director of the Mayo Medical Museum. His home in Rochester was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Neta served the church in many roles during her life, including as a Sunday school teacher for 14 years, clerk, financial secretary, and long-time member of the Clara Barton Guild.