Greiner, Henry Joseph

Henry Joseph Greiner passed away peacefully Friday, May 17, 2013. Henry was born on March 16, 1943, in Keota, Iowa, to Leonard and Mary (Woerdeman) Greiner.

He always said, “The two best things I ever did were to get ordained and to get married.” He was ordained in 1968 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport and served as pastor in many parishes in the Diocese, ending up with one of the largest parishes of the Diocese, St Mary's in Iowa City. While attending Santa Clara University on a study leave he met Anne Blair. In 1993, he left ordained ministry to marry Anne. They have lived in Palo Alto, Calif., for 20 years. He worked as the administrator of the El Retiro Jesuit Retreat House in Los Altos, Calif., until 1998. He then became a financial planner with Money Concepts International. In 2001, he began working part time for several of the mortuaries in the Palo Alto area. By request he would conduct funerals of those who did not belong to a congregation but wanted a religious service. Henry felt he was a blessed man and throughout his life he was pleased to share those blessings in many wonderful ways.

Henry loved his grandchildren, travel, golf, fine wines, salmon fishing in Alaska, the Iowa Hawkeyes and sunsets on the beach.

He is survived by his wife, Anne; stepsons, Christopher Blair (Manisha) and Andrew Blair (Robin); and his grandchildren, Anand, Sonali, Ewan and Mimi Blair.

He is also survived by his brothers, Paul Greiner (Nadine) and Marlin Greiner; his sisters, Jeanette Vittetoe, Veronica Menke (Paul) and Marlene Clerkin (Patrick); and 25 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Bonnie Greiner; brother-in-law, Alvin Vittetoe; and godson, Douglas Vittetoe.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Keota; or the National Brain Tumor Society.

A mass of resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. June 22 At Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Keota.

Published in The Gazette May 22, 2013.