Harry Mensching

Harry F. Mensching, 100, of Atlantic, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Allen Place.
He was born on July 26, 1916, in Pisgah, Iowa to parents Henry and Emma Mensching. He was raised on the family farm with his two brothers, Harold and Herman and attended Windy Ridge Country School, graduating from the 8th Grade. He was confirmed into the Lutheran Church in 1929. He completed schooling in aircraft sheet metal work at The Frye Institute.
On August 28, 1941, he married Le Ila Darlene Bonar, in Blair, Nebraska. To this union three children were born, Ralph, Gene, and Donna.
Harry was called to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force, March 18, 1942 and was assigned to build and repair airplanes. During his tour of duty overseas, he traveled by ship, ground, and air to Brazil, India, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Jordan, Israel, and Italy. As the war ended, he was honorably discharged in 1945.
Harry held various jobs in many locations throughout his lifetime; he worked as a janitor at a Lutheran School, was a sheet metal worker at an airplane defense plant, dug wells and put up windmills with his father-in-law, farmed on the home farm in Pisgah and later on a farm with his son and daughter-in-law in Missouri. He and his wife, Le Ila, owned and operated several restaurant/drive-ins including the Hilltop Drive-In in Kimballton. They worked as a driver and a cook on a wheat combining crew from Montana to Kansas. Harry was a salesman for cemetery property in three different states, drove trucking routes for Dr. Pepper and Standard Oil Company, sold and installed milking machines for Madsen Surge, laid carpet, and repaired Singer Sewing Machines.
Harry enjoyed playing guitar, painting, drawing, staying current with world news, playing cards, listening to country music, and time spent with family and friends.
Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Le Ila; son, Ralph; his parents; and two brothers, Harold and wife, Myrtle, and Herman (Whitey).
Harry is survived by his children; Gene Mensching, and wife Susan, of Monroe, WA, Donna Larsen, and husband Gary, of Exira, IA, and daughter-in-law, Susan Mensching, of Edgewood, Wa., grandchildren; Steve Mensching of Federal Way, WA, Tina Stern of Olympia, WA, Rob Mensching and wife, Jenny, of Redmond, WA, Gabe Mensching of Redmond, WA, Troy Larsen of Chicago, IL, Jodi Gentleman of Omaha, NE, Jesse Larsen and wife, Holly, of Council Bluffs, IA; ten great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Fran Mensching of Missouri Valley, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, 2016, eleven a.m., at the Roland Funeral Home, with Pastor Ken Davidson, officiating. Interment will be in the Atlantic Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the Atlantic Color Guard.
Family will greet friends and relatives one hour prior to the service, at Rolands'. Open visitation will also be available from eight a.m. to five-thirty p.m., Friday, August 5, at the funeral home.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Harry's family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF

Harry Frederick Mensching

BORN
July 26, 1916 ~ Pisgah, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
Saturday, July 30, 2016 ~ Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of
100 years, 4 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Eleven o’clock AM
Roland Funeral Home ~ Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Pastor Ken Davidson
Zion Lutheran Church ~ Atlantic, Iowa

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“Footprints in the Sand” recorded by Christy Lane
“Amazing Grace” recorded by BJ Thomas
“Home Where I Belong” recorded by BJ Thomas
“The Lord’s Prayer” recorded by The Statler Brothers

CASKET BEARERS
Atlantic Color Guard

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS ~ Grandchildren
Troy Larsen
Jodi Gentleman
Jesse Larsen
Steve Mensching
Tina Mensching
Rob Mensching
Gabe Mensching

INTERMENT
Atlantic Cemetery ~ Atlantic, Iowa

MILITARY HONORS
Atlantic Color Guard

The family Invites you to join them
for lunch at the funeral home
following services at the cemetery.