Harry H. Kreissler

Harry Hugh Kreissler was born September 16, 1926, in Deshler, Nebraska to Arthur W. and Helene M. (Huge) Kreissler. He died Sunday, February 7, 2016, at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska at the age of 89 years, 4 months, and 22 days with his daughter Linda and granddaughter Kimberly at his bedside.

Harry was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Deshler. He attended Deshler Public High School, and then was drafted into the United States Army in 1944. He served in Nuremburg, Germany, where he met his first wife, Annemarie Goetschel. They were married in Deshler and had two daughters, Linda Anne and Marlis Jean. During the 23 years they were married, he barbered in Deshler with his father. Following in his father’s footsteps, Harry was initiated into the Masonic Lodge and continued as a faithful member.

Later, he married Joan Gydesen, and moved to Fairfield, Nebraska where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad on the rail crew. He emotionally adopted Joan’s son, Darrell. Harry and Joan enjoyed time together, traveling, and creating wood-working projects. The children and grandchildren were happy recipients of the fruits of their wood-working labors.

Harry will be remembered by those who loved him as being the life of the party, having a wicked sense of humor, and his bald head. He shaved his head to get rid of the few hairs that did grow there.

On many occasions, he would find a way to put ice down someone’s shirt and couldn’t understand why sometimes they reacted negatively. He never met a stranger, and loved to visit with anyone. He recently was told by his granddaughter that she will tell her one year old all the stories of her childhood with Harry as her grandfather. According to his grandchildren, he was an amazing grandfather.

Harry will be forever remembered by his daughter Linda Anne (Lyle) Burd, Hebron, NE; daughter Marlis Jean Gebauer (friend Merle Mason) of Boise, ID; step-son Darrell (Laurie) Gydesen II, Townville, SC; eight grandchildren: David (Tammy) Burd, of Lincoln; Kimberly (Paul) Fintel, of Hickman; Corey Burd, of LaVista; Erica Clegg (friend Donnie Warnken) of Diller; Rebecca Shan (friend Jackson Rogers) of Boise, ID; Phillip (Misty) Kreissler of Boise, ID; Matthew Gebauer (friend Briana Timothy) of Boise, ID; and Darrell (Shannon) Gydesen III of Townville, SC; sixteen great-grandchildren; sister Shirley Mullen of Alhambra, CA; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Harry is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Helene Kreissler; one infant sister; his wife Joan Jane Dishaw Gydesen Kreissler.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 12, 2016, at Good Samaritan Village, The Villa Chapel in Hastings, Nebraska with Pastor Keith Brozek officiating. Honorary bearers were the grandchildren. Inurnment will be this spring in Scotia Cemetery.