KLAASSEN, Richard Lee 1945-2003

KLAASSEN, KRUGER, POPKEN, SMID, VANDERWILT, GRAVENHOF, PETIT, KRUSE

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 7/15/2003 at 11:18:19

Funeral services for Richard Lee Klaassen, 58 of George were held on Monday, June 16, 2003 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in George with Rev. Michelle Rowell officiating. Interment was held at the Sheridan Township Cemetery at Boyden. The Roste Funeral Home of Rock Rapids was in charge of the arrangements.

Richard was born February 7, 1945 at Boyden, the son of William and Margaret (Kruger) Klaassen. He attended Boyden-Hull Community School and was a 1967 graduate of Morningside College, in Sioux City. After graduation, he entered the United States Army and served his country in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division. Upon his honorable discharge from his active duty, he was employed at Graybar Electric Company in Omaha, NE for twenty-eight years and three years at the Graybar District Office in St. Louis, MO. Rich retired from Graybar in June of 2001. Upon retirement, they moved to an acreage north of George.

Richard was united in marriage to Donna Popken on June 5, 1967, in Craig.

Richard was a member of the Immanual Lutheran Church in George. During his leisure time he enjoyed golfing, woodworking, outdoor yard work, watching westerns and avidly supporting the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Richard was diagnosed with cancer and died this past Thursday morning, June 12, 2003, at Centennial Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of fifty-eight.

Grateful for having shared his life with; wife, Donna Klaasssen of George and their three children; son, Trevor Klassen of Lincoln, NE; two daughters, Stephanie Klaasssen of Nickerson, NE. and Renae Klaasssen of Omaha, NE., his parents William and Margaret Klaassen of Boyden; two brothers, Burdell Klaassen and his wife, Judith of Sheldon; Myron Klaassen and his wife, Karen of Sanborn; four sisters, Arly Smid and her husband, John of Colorado Spring, CO.; Sharon VanderWilt and her husband, Arlen of Boyden; Mavis Gravenhof and her husband, Jude of Worthington, MN.; and Rhonda Petit and her husband, Ed of Boyden; aunt Martha T. Kruse of Sibley; uncle, Martin Kruger of Ocheyedan; along with several nieces and nephews; and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Joel Dean Klaassen and his grandparents.