Harold Klaassen (1914 - 2003)

KLAASSEN, VAN LAUEN, CLEVELAND, MAC DONALD, KAMIES, STENZEL, BENSON, ARKELL, JENSON, BERGHORST, HERMAN, STARKENBERG, MANGUSON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/7/2025 at 21:50:34

Harold Klaassen
1914-2003

Harold H. Klaassen was born October 5, 1914, in Lyon County, Iowa, to Klaas H. and Amelia (Van Lauen) Klaassen. He went home to Heaven on March 15, 2003, from the Minnesota Manor Nursing Home after a short fight against cancer.

Harold grew up in and around the farming communities of Little Rock and George, Iowa. As a young man he moved with his family to rural Taunton, where he continued to farm. He also worked for Helmer Anderson's Studebaker and Minneapolis Moline dealership as a mechanic.

Harold was united in marriage on March 20, 1947, to Marvel Mae Cleveland, the daughter of Carlton and Etta (Gosler) Cleveland. They continued farming until the early 1960's when Harold joined the Minnesota Police Force. Later becoming Chief of Police. Harold and Marvel moved to Marshall in 1969 where Harold was employed as head mechanic at Deurz & Crow until his retirement.

After retirement Harold took great pride in his yard, flower and vegetable gardens.

Harold and Marvel were charter members of the Marshall Evangelical Free church, where he served in many capacities over the years.

Harold will be missed by his three daughters, Anita (Richard) MacDonald, LaDonna (Bob Blanchette) Kamies, and Wanda (Ronald) Stenzel of Marshall; his son, Sgt Christopher (Zena Honellio) Klaassen of Grand Forks Air Force Base; nine grandchildren: Jeremy John Kamies, Mollie Beth (Chad Herman) Benson, Bridget Johanna (Rich) Arkell, Andrew Christian Jenson, Ronda Mae Stenzel, Anthony James Stenzel, Robyn Myria Stenzel, Rachel Christine Stenzel, and Asha Marie Klaassen; one grandson-in-law Chris Berghorst; one great-granddaughter, McKenzy Beth Herman; one stepgrandson, Steven MacDonald; a brother, Vernon (Gail) Klaassen; two sisters, Marie (John) Starkenberg, and Hattie Manguson.

There was great rejoicing in Heaven when Harold was greeted by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his wife Marvel, his parents, his in-laws, and one granddaughter, Karla Dawn (Kamies) Berghorst.
(Submitted by Sherrilyn Klaassen)