Henry George Flessner

Henry George Flessner, the son of George and Anne (Buenting) Flessner, was born on Nov. 1, 1935, in Rockford, Iowa. He grew up in the Floyd County, Iowa, area, and graduated from Rockford High School in 1954. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and graduated from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1962. Following his ordination, Pastor Henry served congregations in Lake Andes, South Dakota; Cambridge, Iowa; Nevada and El Dorado Springs; Ord, Neb.; and Sioux Center, Iowa. From 1970-1986, he was also a Chaplain at the Nevada State Hospital in Nevada. While he was in Nevada, Pastor Henry was an active EMT and started a successful 24 hour, seven day "Call for Help" center. Most recently, he served Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Harlan, Iowa, as Visitation Pastor, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, Iowa, as Interim Pastor. He retired in 2007, and moved to Raymore, Mo., in June 2008.

On Sept. 4, 1994, Pastor Henry married Patricia Ann (Meyer) Nielsen at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa. Pat died on July 14, 2003, in Harlan.

Pastor Henry was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. He had a special love for people, and enjoyed gardening and woodworking. He was active in various organizations including Lion's Club, Rotary, Boy Scouts, and Kiwanis.

Pastor Henry G. Flessner died on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at Clare Bridge of Leawood, in Leawood, Kan, at the age of 73 years, two months, and four days.

Preceding pastor Henry in death were his parents; his first wife, Jane Retallick; his second wife, Judith Marsh; his third wife, Patricia (Meyer) Nielsen; and one brother, George Flessner. He is survived by two sons, John (Cendra) Flessner, of Raymore, Mo., and Nathan (Kim) Flessner, of Ord, Neb.; three step-daughters, Kimberly (Bruce) Mathis, of Archie, Mo., Julie (Joel) McKeever, of Defiance, Iowa, and Karen (Rob) Scribano, of Norwalk, Iowa; two step-sons, Michael Flahave, of Minden, Neb., and Ken (Andrea) Nielsen, of Harlan, Iowa; three sisters, Fannie Mae (Don) Rover, of Hampton, Iowa, Eilene (Don) Ender, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and JoAnn (Duane) Feltz, of Allison, Iowa; one brother, Arnold (Jeane) Flessner of Waverly, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 5-8 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 19th Street, Harlan, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Jan. 9, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, with pastor Steve Chellew officiating. Jennifer Perkins will serve as the organist. Casket bearers are Donna Ewert, Kelly Peters, Dave Peddersen, Sheldon Howerter, Ron Randall, and Merle Lawyer. Burial will be in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com