Henry George Flessner

Henry George Flessner, the son of George and Anne (Buenting) Flessner, was born on November 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, Missouri; Ord, Nebraska; and Sioux Center, Iowa. From 1970-1986, he was also a Chaplain at the Nevada State Hospital in Nevada, Missouri. While he was in Nevada, Pastor Henry was an active EMT and started a successful 24 hour/ 7 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, Missouri, in June 2008.

On September, 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, January 5, 2009, at Clare Bridge of Leawood in Leawood, Kansas, at the age of 73 years, 2 months, and 4 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, Missouri, and Nathan (Kim) Flessner of Ord, Nebraska; three step-daughters, Kimberly (Bruce) Mathis of Archie, Missouri, Julie (Joel) McKeever of Defiance, Iowa, and Karen (Rob) Scribano of Norwalk, Iowa; two step-sons, Michael Flahave of Minden, Nebraska, 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.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 9, 2009, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Steve Chellew officiating. Jennifer Perkins served as the organist. Casket bearers were Donna Ewert, Kelly Peters, Dave Pedersen, Sheldon Howerter, Ron Randall, and Merle Lawyer. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.