CLAUSEN, Roger H. (1927-2020)

CLAUSEN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/29/2021 at 15:53:56

Roger H. Clausen
(January 9, 1927 – July 25, 2020)

OKOBOJI – Private family services for Roger H. Clausen, 93, of Okoboji, formerly of Holstein, were held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Holstein with the Msgrs. R. Mark Duchaine and Kenneth A. Seifried officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery at Holstein, with military rites by American Legion Dessel-Schmidt Post #225 at Holstein. Jensen Funeral Home in Holstein was in charge of arrangements.
Roger Clausen was born Jan. 9, 1927, on a farm outside of Holstein, to Henry and Olga (Lamp) Clausen. His life on the farm, in rural northwest Iowa, shaped him throughout his youth and instilled a strong work ethic and sense of pride for his country. After graduating high school, Roger enlisted in the Navy, where he served in WWII and the Korean War. Upon discharge, he later graduated from the University of Denver. Roger then returned home to Holstein and married the love of his life, Rosemary, in 1952. The couple was blessed with two children, Douglas and Elizabeth. In 1956, Roger founded Van Top, which eventually became VT Industries. Van Top started with two employees in a rented chicken coop and specialized in manufacturing furniture and laminate countertops. Even after his retirement in 1989, he would often be found catching up with the employees on the production floor and throughout the office.
He leaves his family with an amazing legacy of love and kinship that is present in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will forever be cherished in their memories made as a family, from fishing in Canada to boat rides in Okoboji, and countless more. He died July 25, 2020, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Olga (Lamp) Clausen; two sisters, Maurine Clausen and Lois Richards; and a nephew, Ky Richards. Roger is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Struchen) Clausen; a son, Douglas Clausen and wife, Joanie; and a daughter, Elizabeth Hansch and husband, Dennis.
Sources: Ida County Courier, Ida Grove, Iowa, Thurs., Aug 6, 2020 and Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home & Monument Company, Holstein, Iowa at https://www.nicklasdjensenfh.com/