Gene E. Claussen 1920 - 2002

CLAUSSEN, EWOLDT, MILLER

Posted By: Marguerite (email)
Date: 10/29/2002 at 10:08:13

Gene E. Claussen

November 11, 1920 - October 26, 2002

Gene E. Claussen, 81, of 2364 Willowbrooke Lane, Iowa City, died Saturday, October 26, 2002, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics following a short illness.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2002, at the Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City, with Lucille Gregory officiating. There will be no visitation and burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the First Church of Christ Scientist, Iowa City or the Journalism, Museum or Athletic Departments at the University of Iowa, c/o the University of Iowa Foundation. On line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com Please click on “Sign guest book”.

Gene E. Claussen was born November 20, 1920, in Manning, Iowa, the son of Claus and Clara (Ewoldt) Claussen. He grew up and attended school in Manning, graduating from Manning High School in 1938. He received his B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1942. He was a member of the honorary fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa and received the Brewer-Torch Press Key. He served in the Merchant Marines during WWII, serving in New York and in the Mediterranean. He was united in marriage to Margaret “Marmee” Miller on June 7, 1946, in Cedar Rapids. The couple made their home in Cedar Rapids where he worked for WMT Radio and later moved to St. Louis and was associated with KMOX, a CBS station. In 1948, they moved to Iowa City and he was one of the founders of KXIC Radio and later KKRQ - FM. Mr. Claussen was a news and sportscaster from 1948 until retiring in 1988. He sold the station in 1981. In retirement the couple made their home in Door County, Wisconsin during the summer and recent winters in Bodega Bay, California.

Gene was a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Iowa City, was involved in Friends of the University of Iowa Museum, is a member of the Presidents Club, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Iowa Broadcasting Network, had served as President of the Iowa Broadcasters Association and was awarded Broadcaster of the Year on three separate years.

Gene is survived by his wife, Marmee of Iowa City, his daughter, Christina and her husband Dennis O’Leary of Evergreen, Colorado, his son, James and his wife Candice Claussen of San Bruno, California, four grandchildren, Rosanne and Celeste O’Leary, and Ian and Eric Claussen, one sister, Ila and her husband Arthur Rix of Manning, Iowa, his brother, Glen Claussen of Alta Loma, California, also three nieces, Diane Weitz, Karen Snyder and Janis Miller, and two nephews, David Miller and Bradley Claussen.