Larry Zessin, 71, of Warsaw MO

Larry Zessin, 71, passed away surrounded by family on April 26, 2019, at Cox Medical Center in Springfield, MO.

Funeral Service will be  Monday, May 6, 2018, 10:30 am, at First Baptist Church in Tekamah, Nebraska.  Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 pm, with family receiving friends, at Pelan Funeral Services Tekamah. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to service at the church.  Burial with Military Honors Tekamah Cemetery in Tekamah.

Memorials to the family for later designation.

He was born to Walter and LaVern (Bartels) Zessin on January 3, 1948 in Norfolk, NE. During his younger years, he lived in the Madison, NE area, and later moved to Oakland, NE. Larry attended Universal Tradeschool for autobody in Omaha.  Larry then worked for Jim Wheeler Chevrolet in Tekamah.

On November 4, 1967, he married the love of his life, Joan McMullin and they were the proud parents of four children: Todd, Lisa, Lori and Ryan. In January of 1968, Larry was drafted into the United States Army and served 18 months in Germany where Joan was able to join him. During Larry’s time in the Army, Larry and Joan found a love for travel.  Larry was able to visit Germany several times throughout his life.

After Larry’s discharge from the Army, Larry and Joan lived briefly in Central City, NE then moved to Fremont for a couple of years.  In 1973, Larry purchased Warren Tiedtke’s body shop in Tekamah, NE. A few years later, Larry moved the business to a new shop he built at the south end of town. Larry always took pride in his work and was a proud self-employed business owner in Tekamah for 30+ years.

Ever since he was a young kid, Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.  His passion for the outdoors was more than a hobby; it was a large part of his life.  Time spent in the woods and on the water led to many memorable times and cocktails with family and friends that will never be forgotten.  After retiring from the auto body business, he and Joan were able to fulfill a dream of his by living in Alaska for two years and experiencing life in the Last Frontier. Following the two years in Alaska, they came back to Tekamah where they lived for ten years. In 2016, they moved to Warsaw, MO where they enjoyed retirement and made many new friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and LaVerna; sister, Sandra; brother, Lonnie.

Larry will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his family. He is survived by his wife, Joan Zessin; son, Todd (Becky) Zessin of Elkhorn, NE;  daughter, Lisa (Becky) Zessin of Kansas City, MO; daughter, Lori (Joe) Breckenridge of Bennington, NE; son, Ryan (Erika) Zessin of Aurora, CO; eight grandchildren: Brooklyn, Brennen, Justice, Samantha, Drew, Austin, Griffin and Jacob; brothers: Vern, Lennie and Ronnie; sister, Shirley.

Larry Zessin