Claesson, Fred Raymond 1918-2006

CLAESSON, CARLSON, DELPERDANG

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/31/2017 at 17:11:30

AKRON, Iowa -- Fred R. Claesson, 87, of Le Mars, Iowa, formerly of Akron, passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2006, at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church E.L.C.A. in Akron, with the Rev. Dawn Quame officiating. Graveside services will be 9:30 a.m. Friday in Riverside Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Albert E. Hoschler Post 186 of Akron. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, with the family present after 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Carlsen Funeral Home-Schroeder Chapel in Akron.

Fred Raymond Claesson was born Sept. 7, 1918, in Hawarden, Iowa, to Fred O. and Hilma (Carlson) Claesson. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron. He graduated from Akron High School in 1936. He worked for Swift and Co. in Chicago, St. Paul and Omaha. He returned to Akron in 1946 to start farming with his father.

He was united in marriage to Evelyn Delperdang on April 4, 1950, in Sioux City. He farmed for 32 years and in 1978, retired from farming and moved to Akron.

He served his country for four and one half years in the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of first sergeant. He was a survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He had also served in the European Theater with the 78th Infantry Division in France, Belgium and Germany.

He was an active and valuable member of several organizations throughout his life time. He was a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He served as township assessor for many years. He was a member of the board of directors of the Plymouth Co-op Oil Co. in Le Mars, Plymouth Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. in Le Mars and the Farmers Co-op Elevator in Akron. He was a 60-year member of the American Legion Albert E. Hoschler Post 186, where he was a past commander and served as the post service officer for 42 years.

He was a member of the Akron Community School board for 12 years and served as a Plymouth County supervisor for 14 and one half years. While serving as a supervisor, he was elected president of the Iowa State Association of Counties. He also was a member of the Freedom Lodge of Akron, the Sioux City Consistory and the Abu Bekr Shrine Temple in Sioux City.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Evelyn of Le Mars; a daughter and her husband, Nancy and Steve Tonkin of Lincoln, Neb.; two grandsons, Riley Tonkin and his wife, Kathleen and Ryan Tonkin, all of Lincoln; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred O. and Hilma (Carlson) Claesson.

Sioux City Journal
Thursday, July 6, 2006
Sioux City, Iowa