CLAASSEN, Claradean 1926-2016

CLAASSEN, MEENTS, GOLDHORN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/24/2017 at 18:54:02

Claradean Claassen, age 90, of Parkersburg, Iowa, was born the daughter of Uffa and Bertha (Goldhorn) Meents on January 18, 1926, Grundy County, near Holland, Iowa. She received her education from a rural country school near her home.

On October 22, 1949, Clara was united in marriage with John Lewis Claassen at the Colfax Presbyterian Church, rural Holland, Iowa. They made their home for a short time in Waterloo, Iowa. The following February they began farming in Butler County and then in Grundy County, Iowa. Clara helped John with the farming and raised their family. In 1986 they retired and moved to Parkersburg.

Clara was an active and faithful member of the First Congregational Church in Parkersburg, where she taught Sunday School and Bible School, was a Primary Sunday School Superintendent, a Deaconess, and a member of the Ladies Guild and Women of Prayer. She enjoyed raising a large garden and tending to her flowers. She loved her family and perhaps her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Clara passed away Monday, August 15, 2016, at Grundy County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Grundy Center, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Claassen on June 28, 2004; her parents; one sister, Ivadean Dieken; and three brothers, John, Paul, and Alvin Meents.

Clara is survived by two sons, Rev. David (Diann) Claassen of Florida, and Mark (Sheila) Claassen of Parkersburg; one daughter, Rhonda (Edward) Parker of Urbandale; seven grandchildren, Julie (Victor) Zaragoza, Dan (Teri) Claassen, Sarah (Tony) Shelton, Tracy (Joe) Neymeyer, Jason (Becca) Parker, Ryan (Laura) Parker, and Heather (Brodie) Thomas; 18 great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Grace Meents of Grundy Center.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 18, 2016, at the First Congregational Church with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery both in Parkersburg.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Parkersburg and one hour before services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Parkersburg is in charge of arrangements.

--Redman-Schwartz Funeral Homes (www.redman-schwartz.com)