FRANK FLENZ

Flenz, Frank Emil Albert 6-17-1922 to 12-30-2009 Frank Emil Albert Flenz, age 87, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior at Peabody Manor on December 30, 2009 with his loving wife and family by his side. He was born June 17, 1922, first-born son of the late Ferdinand and Henriette (Harder) Flenz and was a lifelong resident of Neenah, WI. Frank was baptized into the Triune Faith on July 23, 1922 in his parents home, belonging then to Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church. He was confirmed April 10, 1938 at Trinity. Frank attended Neenahs Washington grade school, Trinity Lutheran parochial grade school, and Neenah High School. Because of his military service and delay of education, he received his high school diploma in August 2004, along with his brothers Edward and Paul. Frank was a paper trimmer operator at Neenah Paper Co., Division of K-C for over 44 years, retiring in 1985. He was a member of their Quarter Century Club. Frank was united in marriage to Eileen Luebke on January 19, 1944 at Trinity Lutheran Church and they shared just under 66 years together. Frank was drafted into the Army on January 6, 1943. He served in the 3510 medium auto maintenance ordnance for three years; honorably discharged December 8, 1945 as a PFC. His service overseas took him to Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He received the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European-African Middle Eastern Theatre ribbon with 4 Bronze Battle stars, 3 overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal, Marksman/Carbine Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement, Honorable Discharge pin and Honorable Discharge Certificate from Ft. Sheridan, Ill. He was a truck driver with considerable experience driving in blackout (cat eyes) conditions and operating vehicles under difficult and hazardous conditions as well. Frank received the Bronze Star for heroic and meritorious achievement because he safely transported his company officers and troops over a pontoon bridge on the Rhine River in Germany. Frank enjoyed working with wood. He was most proud of having drawn up the plans for and completing their home so he could begin his own family. His family meant the world to him and he enjoyed going to his children and grandchildrens school events. He served on various church boards at Martin Luther and Trinity, belonged to Trinitys Mens Club and dart ball league. Frank is survived by his loving wife, Eileen; children: Steven (Kathy), Neenah; Kathleen (Gary) Reader, Neenah; Bryce, Oshkosh; Lorice Woller (friend Rickie Peyer), Whitewater; grandchildren: Jennifer (Chad) Dequaine, Neenah; Christopher Reader, Middleton; Tonya (Kent) Baumann, Merrill; Aaron Flenz (friend Ashley Vandynhoven), Neenah; great-grandchildren: Cora Lynn and Tyler William Dequaine, Arabella Jane Baumann, Aydan Orion and Ayderick Jameson Flenz, and one on the way; brother Edward (Stella) Flenz; sister Ethel (James) Weyenberg; brother-in-law Wilbert Lau; cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. Preceding Frank in death were his parents, parents-in-law, sister-in-law Dorothy Flenz, brother-in-law Lester Luebke, brother Paul and sister Henriette (Hank) Lau. The Christian Funeral for Frank will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Monday, January 4, 2010 at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, 407 Oak St. Neenah, with Rev. Tony McKenzie and Rev. Greg Otterstatter officiating. Military rites will follow. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 A.M. until the hour of service. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund to Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church is being established. Franks family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Baltz and his staff for his many years of caring; to ThedaCare at Home Hospice, especially Joe, Jeannie, and all the others; to the volunteers who visited with him, especially Tom; and to the staffs at Cherry Meadows and Birch Cottage for their wonderful care of him. Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. It has been a wonderful life sharing these last 65 years with you. I will love you forever. Eileen God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, So He put his arms around you and whispered, Come to Me. With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away, And though we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. *author unknown