Joel Eugene Glessner

Joel Eugene Glessner (March 9, 1946 - May 19, 2022) was born to Galen Francis and Evelyn Rowena (High) Glessner in Minneapolis, MN. He lived most of his childhood in Eastern WA, graduating from Wilson Creek High School in 1964.

Both patriotic and practical, Joel entered the US Army and pursued an RN at Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha, NE. Following his training he served in various military hospitals in the US and Viet Nam. Upon completing his military commitment, he served the people of Denver, CO, with compassionate, attentive healthcare both at Denver Health Medical Center (formerly Denver General Hospital) and St. Joseph Hospital. He received a BSN from Loretta Heights College in Denver and continued in nursing. Later he obtained his mortuary science certification, and served as a funeral director in Denver, Billings, MT, and Tacoma, WA, retiring in 2014.

Joel was known for his friendliness, wit, empathy, love of classical music, skill as an organist and cellist, laser-sharp memory, and generosity.

He is survived by his brother, Russell Glessner (Linda), Tacoma; sister, Ruth Bechtel (Ron), Salem, OR; sister, Rowena Barnes (Steve), Fréjus, France; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Interment Tahoma National Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to Doctors Without Borders, Tacoma Youth Symphony Association, and Point Foundation.