FLESNER, Clara Alice

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published Sunday, July 24, 2011 - Clara Alice Flesner, 91, of Sun City, died at home July 19. She was born Sept. 1, 1919, in Dwight, Neb., to Frank and Mary Yurka. She was the youngest of six children. During infancy, she was baptized and became a child of God. A happy childhood was spent growing up on the family farm. She graduated from Virginia High School, Neb., and attended Peru State College, Neb. She went on to teach elementary grades near her home for five years. She married Virgil Flesner May 17, 1944. To this union were born Todd Edward and Debra Sue. They lived near and in Beatrice, Neb., until June of 1969 when they moved to Lake Havasu City. Clara and her husband, Virgil, and son, Todd, opened Havasu Iron & Metal in 1974. Her favorite comment was “We have the best customers in town.” After retiring at the age of 85, she moved to Sun City, to be near her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Clara enjoyed family, friends, traveling, crocheting, boating, vacationing and God’s wonders of nature. Clara and Virgil contributed to building Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu City, where she was the treasurer. Survivors include her son, Todd (Diana) Flesner, of Lake Havasu City; and her daughter, Debra (Bill) Burnstein, of Peoria, Ariz.; grandchildren, Brent (Tamara) Burnstein, of Waddell, Ariz., Traci (David) Smith, of Surprise, Ariz., Bryan (Nicole) Bird, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Kenny Bird and fiancée Sasha, of Ahwautkee, Ariz.; great-grandchildren Michael, Tyler and Rylan Burnstein, Cannon and Aniston Smith; sister-in-law, Luella Yurka, of Beatrice, Neb.; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Virgil Flesner; parents, Joseph and Mary Yurka; brothers, Edward, Frank and Rudolph Yurka; sisters, Henrietta Jamison and Mildred Zvolanek; brother-in-laws, Earl Jamison and James Zvolanek. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lietz-Fraze, Lake Havasu City. Funeral Services will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Lake Havasu City. Graveside services at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens will follow the service. Please join the family afterward at the home of Todd Flesner. Donations may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3163 Maricopa Ave., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.