CLAASSEN, Thomas Sr. 1914-1984

CLAASSEN, AKKERMAN, EILERS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:16

Services For Tom Claassen Sr. On Friday

Funeral services for Thomas Claassen, Sr., were held on Friday, January 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Second Christian Reformed Church. Pastor John H. Elenbaas officiated the services.

A mixed quartet, Mrs. Harold Okones, Mrs. Ivan Slifer, Willis Nederhoff and Donald Anderson sang two selections. Monica Doyen was organist. Flower attendants were Mrs. Lester Anderson and Mrs. Donald Ross.

Pallbearers were Terry Folkerts, David Wolff, Alan Betsinger, Robert Wallick, Harold Roberts, Dick Claassen, Veryl Sunderson, Gary Clark and Jeffrey Clark.

Honorary pallbearers were Rodney Claassen, Darcy Claassen, Cristal Claassen, Michelle Dougherty, Tanya Dougherty, Natasha Claassen and Richard Claassen.

The interment service was held in Hazel Green cemetery at rural Ackley. Graveside military rites were conducted by the Wellsburg Amvet Post 91 and the Wellsburg American Legion Ashing-Jaspers Post 213.

Doyen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Claassen passed away Monday evening, January 9, at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center due to complications of a stroke he had suffered the day before. He reached the age of 69 years, 9 months and 11 days.

He was born March 28, 1914, in Wellsburg, the son of Diederich and Lula (Akkerman) Claassen and attended the Wellsburg school, graduating from high school with the class of 1932. He attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls for one year following his graduation from high school.

On March 28, 1941, he was married to Louise Eilers in Steamboat Rock. Following their marriage they made their home in Wellsburg. This union was blessed with two sons, Thomas Douglas and Craig Allan.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy for three and a half years in the unit that was called the "Sea Bees."

He was engaged in the cabinet making business with his brother, Virgil Claassen, for many years. Later he was employed by Leonard Gelder Construction until his retirement.

Thomas was a long-time member of the Second Christian Reformed Church of Wellsburg, having joined by profession of faith on April 17, 1949. He had served, both as a Deacon and an Elder on the church consistory. He also had been a Sunday School Superintendent and taught Sunday School.

He served on the Town Council of Wellsburg and also at one time was active with the Boy Scout Troop 85 of Wellsburg.

Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers, Richard and Virgil Claassen.

Those left to mourn his passing are his wife Louise; two sons, Thomas Jr. and his wife Barbara of LeGrand; Craig and his wife, Janice of Chesapeake, VA; seven grandchildren, Rodney Claassen, Darcy Claassen, Cristal Claassen, Michelle Dougherty, Tanya Dougherty, Natasha Claassen, Richard Claassen; one sister, Mrs. Ella Hamilton of Alden and many other relatives and friends.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 19 January 1984, pg 11