Omar Edward Glessing, age 95, of Howard Lake, died Monday, April 4, 2011, at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center.
He was born Nov. 16, 1915, in Howard Lake, the son of Henry and Emma (Zech) Glessing.
A lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Omar was baptized Dec. 12, 1915, by the Rev. A.L. Oetjen, and confirmed in his faith March 24, 1929, by the Rev. C.G. Seitz.
Omar received his education at Rice Lake School, St. James Lutheran School, Howard Lake Public School, Cokato Normal Training, and the Minnesota School of Business. He taught at Grass Lake School for three years before entering the banking business at Dassel State Bank as an assistant cashier.
At the Security State Bank of Howard Lake, Omar held the position of vice president and president. He was also active in banking associations, serving as president of the Wright County Banking Association, treasurer of the Independent Bankers of Minnesota, and as a member of the Agriculture Committee of the Minnesota Bankers Association. Upon retiring in 1983, he had a total of 49 years in banking.
Omar was married to Verna Reiter June 7, 1941. Their marriage was blessed with a son, Rolland.
As a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Omar taught Bible school, sang in the church choir, and served as treasurer and president.
He enjoyed bowling, fishing, and hunting. While hunting in Ontario, Canada in October 1959, Omar had his greatest thrill as a sportsman when he successfully harvested a trophy moose.
Omar entered the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center in 2001.
He is survived by his wife, Verna, of Howard Lake; his son, Rolland and his wife, Jean, of Plymouth; his granddaughter, Dr. Brooke and her husband, Dr. Peter Baggenstos of Minneapolis; his grandson, Peter Glessing of Minneapolis; a brother, Lorren and his wife, Jeanne, of Howard Lake; sister-in-law Eva Glessing; nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives, and friends.
Omar was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Emma Glessing; three brothers, Warren, Howard, and Maurice; and two sisters, Mabel Sherva and Eva Handrich.
The funeral service took place Thursday, April 7, at 2 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, with the Revs. Michael Nirva and Martin Schoenfeld officiating. Special music was provided by soloist Marge Stueven, and Mae Wannarka served as organist. Interment was in the Howard Lake Cemetery.
Visitation was Wednesday, April 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.; and continued Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Pallbearers were Marlin Diers, Delbert Gerdes, Allen Glessing, Daniel Glessing, Neal Glessing, Peter Glessing, and Dr. Roger Handrich.
The Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake handled the arrangements.