06/24/2025
Neal Edward Flusche I was born in Mesa, Arizona and was the fourth child born to David Sr. and Wanda Flusche. They were there because Neal's father graduated from Texas Tech University and had moved to Arizona to pursue a master’s degree in engineering, at Arizona State University. Neal joined 2 sisters, Missy and Terrye, and a brother David Jr. Within 2 years, they moved to Mineral Wells, Texas, where Neal's Little brother Shawn was born. From there, the family of seven, moved to Garland, Texas. This is where Neal spent most of his childhood. In 1977, when Neal was 10 years old, Dave and Wanda would move their family, just one more time. They came home to Muenster, where the Flusche name already had its roots, and where Dave Sr's parents and siblings had lived.
Dave Sr and Wanda bought a farm north of Muenster and raised their beautiful family there. Neal finished his elementary years at Sacred Heart School, where he was a typical, ornery, brown-eyed, curly headed boy. His orneriness landed him in the principal’s office, a time or two. That is where he met Principal, Sister Georgia Felderhoff. Never...Ever...in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine that she would one day become his aunt.
Neal attended Muenster Junior High and Muenster High School. A school that he dearly loved. Neal's fun personality, his caring nature, and his athleticism, made Neal very popular and made high school a very fun time for him. His favorite subject was Football. That was probably because he was so very good at it, but also, he had grown up around the game. Neal was smart, strong, tough, and quick. He could endure hot practices and cold games. All that mattered was that he was doing what he loved. Those qualities about him were the same traits that made him successful in every part of his life.
In 1983, there was no such thing as social media, so if you wanted to talk or meet someone, you had to be social, which was never, really going to work out that great for Susan...but as they say, opposites attract. So, as an effort to be social, Susan and her friends would drive up and down Main Street and then turn around so that we could just go do the same thing, up and down Division Street (also known as “the Drag”). Susan had noticed that there was a really cute guy, that could be found washing off windows and pumping gas at the full-service gas station, known as Neil's Kerr-McGee. If you timed it just right, you could catch him out front, wave, and honk, if you were brave enough. In those days, if you wanted to talk to people, you had to go where the people were, even if that meant driving to Lindsay Texas to attend their Father's Day Picnic. It was there, in June of 1983 where Susan talked to Neal Flusche for the first time, and his little peck on her cheek had her hooked forever.
Neal and Susan married in November of 1987. One of the things that she loved about Neal was that he came from a large, tightly knitted, loving family, and because family was the most important thing to him, they were eager to begin their own. Susan and Neal had 4 boys in the span of 5 years. Their oldest son is Neal, known as Micah, married Sam and they have a son whose name is Neal Edward II aka “Eddie”. Micah was followed by Matt who married Shelby. They have a daughter named Cameron. Their third son is Aaron, and their fourth son, Andy, is married to Jessie. Neal was a proud grandpa, and he had so many plans. He had hoped to take the grandkids hunting and fishing or to be able to pick them up from school someday.
Neal was a very proud Dad. If you ever stayed up with him for one of those late-night conversations, I'm sure that you heard repeatedly, just how proud of them, that he was. He was their dad, their teacher, their coach, their boss, their rescuer, their mentor and sometimes their partner in crime. He was their hero, and they were his. The boys loved going anywhere with their dad. They enjoyed stopping for "sodie waters" and Cheetos on their way to the farm, the deer lease, or a pick-up or a delivery for Flusche Enterprises...especially on those days when their mom just needed 4 boys out of the house. When they were growing up and entering Jr High and High School, the family’s schedule got busy with all their activities, but that was just fine. Raising their boys with their family, neighbors, friends and the whole town of Muenster brought Neal and Susan so many good memories. Neal loved all of it. He was so proud.
Neal loved to hang out with family and friends, and he loved to cook and watch sports. All these things came together perfectly, when we had the opportunity to watch Andy play football for the University of North Texas. For 5 Years, you could find them at every UNT football game. They hosted tailgate parties before and after home games that were attended by so many of their family and friends. It may have seemed to be about football, when it was just quality time spent and memories made, with family, as well as new and old friends. Neal was good at hosting friends, and he loved every minute of it.
Neal was a great provider. He took great care of his family. He worked around the house to make it a comfortable home. He eventually got to the bottom of what he called Susan’s invisible list. She now looks around their home and sees evidence of his work everywhere. He was a "metal" man, so most of the things that he made for his family were big, strong and heavy. He did learn to like working with wood and the art of using epoxy for countertops. He made two beautiful tables for outdoor patio, that could easily double as storm shelters.
Neal was a man that wore many hats. He was a Businessman, Volunteer Fire-Fighter, School Board member, and a Jaycee member/President/Senator. He had a smart business sense. He paid attention to detail, and noticed things that most people tend to overlook. He had an uncommon loyalty that allowed him to stick around to gain knowledge and years of experience. There was nothing that he could not figure out, build or find a way to build better. Susan often was amazed by the many things that Neal knew how to fix. It wasn't like he just looked it up on YouTube for the quick answer, because for most of his life, that wasn't available. He just had a mind for it.
This past May, Neal marked 40 years of full-time employment at Flusche Enterprises Inc. He loved his job. He loved going to work and was so good at what he did, but Susan is certain that his love for the people that he worked with every day, and the many people that he got to know and worked for over the years, was the real reason for his enjoyment. For most of those 40 years, Neal worked through the hot and the cold, 6 days a week. There were a lot of days that he left work to give his time to his family, to his community, or some service to humanity while still wearing dirty work jeans and his steel-toed boots.
Neal absolutely loved his hometown of Muenster. His roots run deep here. He has lived here, worked here, gone to school here, raised his family here, gone to Church here and has felt safe and happy here. On Friday, June 13, 2025, friends and family hosted 2 events for Neal to show their love for him. One was a bake sale that must have been selling some extraordinary cookies, and the 2nd was a prayer service to pray for Neal’s welfare. He had been looking forward to the prayer service that was scheduled for that evening. He had told the doctors at the Denton hospital all week that he needed to get home, because he really wanted to go to the Rosary that was being said for him. His family is so thankful that he got to know and experience the out-pouring of love from his hometown on that day. God is so good. It was his last good day.
Cancer is a thief, and it has taken so much from our family and from this community. His family is certain that there is not anyone here who has not witnessed firsthand the destruction that it can cause. It steals our time, it steals our health, it steals our friends and family members… But it cannot steal a person’s character, it does not change who the person is. It does not take away their many good deeds or the place of honor that their good life has earned. Cancer cannot touch the cherished memories that we have safely stored away in our hearts. Neal's sister, Missy lost her battle with cancer in 2007. She was 45 years old. Neal watched as she bravely battled what seemed to be one obstacle after another. Neal was not any different. He was brave, and the toughest person that I’ve ever known. He never complained. Neal never lost faith in his God and his Savior. His family knows that there is a loving and merciful God, that is ready to welcome Neal to Himself and to his new home in Heaven.
His family is so thankful for Neal’s life and are so thankful that Neal is no longer suffering. Neal often told Susan that he could fix anything but the crack of dawn or a broken heart. Our hearts are broken today. Neal Edward Flusche, we love you so very much.
Mass of Christian Burial for Neal was held at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 20, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Rosary was held at 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Pallbearers were Micah Flusche, Matt Flusche, Aaron Flusche, Andy Flusche, Eric Felderhoff, Dylan Flusche, Steven Flusche, and Kason Reeves. Honorary Pallbearers were the Muenster Volunteer Fire Department, the Muenster Jaycees, and all of Muenster. Neal passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025
Neal is survived by his wife: Susan Flusche of Muenster; sons: Micah and wife Samantha Flusche of Muenster, Matt and wife Shelby Flusche of Little Elm, Aaron Flusche of Gainesville, and Andy and wife Jessie Flusche of Muenster; grandchildren: Eddie Flusche of Muenster and Cameron Flusche of Little Elm; parents: David Sr. and Wanda Flusche of Muenster; brothers: David Jr. and wife Laurie Flusche of Muenster, and Shawn Flusche of Muenster; sister: Terrye and husband Mark Felderhoff of Ponder; and numerous extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his sister: Missy Flusche Dangelmayr; and grandparents: J.P. and Hazel Flusche, and Royce and Esther Whitman.
