Eric Meissner

Born on June 22, 1960, Eric peacefully passed at home surrounded by his family on November 4, 2024. He ultimately succumbed to the consequences of a decades-long battle with diabetes. 

Eric was born in Fort Collins, Colorado to Lew Meissner and Judith Allen. At the tender age of 5, Eric was dearly loved and cared for by his grandparents, Eugene and Hannah Meissner while his father transitioned back into the ministry. He welcomed his half-siblings, Chandrea Kindred (Robin) and Troy Meissner (Melissa) after his father married Sandra Meissner in 1968. 

Eric graduated from Highland High School in 1979. He received his Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado in 1985 and his Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina 1991. Eric was ordained in June 1991 at First Lutheran Church in Ault, CO. His first call was to a two-point parish in Dalton and Broadwater, NE-serving there from 1991 to 1994. Eric was then called to St. Paul's Lutheran (Soap Creek) DeWitt, NE and served there from 1994 to 1997. He provided interim services at Holy Trinity in Sidney, NE from 1998 to 1999. Eric went on to serve Messiah Lutheran in North Platte, NE from 1998-2008. He served one year as the camp director at Camp Carol Joy Holling in Ashland, NE. Eric returned to Sidney, NE to serve as the pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran from 2009 to 2011. In 2012, Eric accepted a call from Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, IA where he retired in 2021 after serving 30 years as a called and ordained minister. 

Eric and Deb moved to Omaha to be closer to their kids and grandchildren. Eric met his wife Deb while attending college at UNC in Greeley, CO. They married in 1983 and have two children: son Zachary (Abby) Meissner and daughter Ashley Perez (fiancée Leonel Rivero). Eric was known to his grandkids as Grampy and/or Happy and he loved every minute he could spend with them. He had special names for each of them: Isaac (Mr. Twister), Noah (Smiley Bug), Aubrey (Easy Breezy), Leah (Lemon Drop), Nora (Little Girl), Lucia (Lucy Goosey), and Israel (Sweet Cheeks). He was working on special names for his two bonus grandkids, Eriknel and Abdiel. 

Eric loved his family and the congregations he served through the years. He will be remembered for always pointing the way to Jesus, and teaching us all to 'Focus on the Cross'. 

Eric is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Eric also leaves behind a plethora of people who knew and loved him as a son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, father-in-law, and dearest of friends. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and grandparents. 

Eric was deeply loved, and had a much greater impact on others, more than he knew or ever felt comfortable acknowledging. He will be profoundly missed by all who had the honor of crossing his path.

In lieu of flowers, Eric asked that memorials be made to Amor Ministries. Please scan the QR code below if you would like to donate in memory of Eric.

The funeral service as a celebration of his life will be on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Visitation at 10:00, followed by the service at 11:30 with a luncheon immediately following. At Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church 7706 S 96th St. La Vista, NE 68128. The service will be officiated by Pastor Joe Eisenbacher and Pastor Mark Anderson of Living Water Lutheran Church where Eric and Deb were members.  

The livestream link will be below on the day of the service.