Frederick William “Bill” Claussen, age 80, of Staples, Minnesota, formerly of Hardwick, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Reflections at Lakewood Health Systems in Staples. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hardwick, Minnesota, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the Church. Inurnment will follow at the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. In Lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hartquist Funeral Home – Luverne Chapel. To sign an online registry, please view www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Frederick William “Bill” Claussen was born on February 14, 1942, to Eldra and Eunice (Arp) Claussen in Luverne, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick, Minnesota. Bill was raised by a village which included his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1960. Bill lived in or near Hardwick throughout his life. He owned his own excavating business for a number of years and also drove cement trucks for Pronk Ready Mix. Later in his life he was united in marriage to Alice on March 7, 1992, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. They were married for five years until her passing on June 27, 1996. Bill passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Reflections at Lakewood Health Systems in Staples, Minnesota, at the age of 80 years.
Bill was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran church in Hardwick. He also served on the fire department, and was a member of the Arthur Moeller American Legion Post #478 in Hardwick. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, skeet shooting, and going on motorcycle trips. He especially enjoyed socializing and spending time with his family and friends who he thought the world of. He was extremely caring and helped his mother when her health declined. Bill will be remembered for his very kind personality and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Bill will be deeply missed.
Bill is survived by his sister, Marlee (John) Melville of St. Cloud, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Jackie Claussen of Pace, Florida; step daughters, Julie (Tim Haugen) Pater of Wirock, Minnesota, and Jayme (Dave) Palmer of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; his very special great nephew, Christopher Thomas; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice; his parents; and his brother Lee Claussen.
The family of Bill would like to thank the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone and Reflections at Lakewood Health Systems for the wonderful care they gave Bill. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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