Obituaries 31 August 2016

Robert Clasen dies at 90

Robert Clasen, age 90 of New Hampton, passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton.A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Robert will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Father Brian Dellaert celebrating.  Visitation will be held from 9 to 11a.m. at the church Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016.  Burial will follow a luncheon at Calmar Lutheran Cemetery in Calmar.  Military Honors will be provided by Calmar American Legion.  Online condolences for Robert’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com . For further information please contact 641-394-4331.Robert Louis Clasen was born on June 10, 1926 near Calmar, the son of Carl and Theresa (Wangsness) Clasen.  As a child, he went to live with his maternal grandfather, Lass Wangsness and uncle, Elvin Wangsness on the family farm.  Robert attended rural country school and Cresco High School.  In 1943, during World War II, he attempted to enlist in the US Navy, but was told he was too small.  Later, he was drafted and assigned to the Navy.  Following ‘boot camp’ at Great Lakes, IL, Robert was transferred to Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego, Calif., where as a corpsman, he cared for the sick and the wounded returning home from the Pacific Theater.  Following his discharge in 1946, he returned to Iowa and his grandfather’s farm.  He then worked at Anundsen Printing in Decorah.  On June 10, 1948, Robert was united in marriage to Arlene Petersen Sweet.  The couple moved to New Hampton, where he was employed for many years as shop foreman at the New Hampton Newspapers.  They later moved to Spillville and he worked, testing cattle and then at Quinlin’s Grocery in Decorah.  Robert was united in marriage to Geraldine Brummond in New Hampton on January 23, 2004.  They enjoyed traveling, both internationally and here in the States.  They also spent a couple of winters in the “Valley” in Texas.  He was fortunate to be able to travel to Washington DC in 2011 on an Honor Flight.  What impressed him the most there were the little children that met them at the airport.  In May, 2014 he entered Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare, until his death on August 28, from complications of Parkinson’s disease.Robert’s survived by his loving wife, Geraldine Brummond of New Hampton; step-daughter, Wanita (Bob) Ruen of Decorah; son, Jay (Linda) Clasen of Kansas City, Mo; daughter, Susan McCloud of Auburndale, Fla.  Other survivors include his stepchildren, Becky (Rich) Schoenfeld, Kathy (Jack) Roethler and Randy (Joy) Brummond, all of New Hampton, Cindy (Leslie) Kellogg of Ionia and Dan (Sandra) Brummond, also of New Hampton; many grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are his siblings, Ina Maxwell of Rochester, Minn., Hazel Koll of Morton, Minn., Mahlon Clasen of Alamo, Texas, Donald Clasen of Pine Island, Minn., Jim Clasen of Brentwood, NY, Marlene Prohaska of Clear Lake, and David Clasen of Lawson, Mo.Preceding him in death were his parents; his first wife, Arlene; infant son, John Paul Clasen; granddaughter, Jenny Clasen; siblings, Roland Clasen and DeEtta Hauge and step-son, Richard Brummond.  

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