"Our sympathy to Earl's family. I have enjoyed working with Earl over the years. He was a great person & easy to work with. Earl & his wife have been missed. "
In loving memory of
Earl J. Claussen
May 26, 1913 - February 22, 2010
Earl J. Claussen, 96 formerly of Jefferson, South Dakota passed away on Monday, February 22, 2010 at a Sioux City nursing home.
Abiding by his wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no services. Burial will be at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Online condolences may be sent at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.
Earl was born to John and Ella (Kuchel) Claussen in Galva, Iowa on May 26, 1913. He served in the Navy during WW II on the USS Isherwood. He married Louise Streed on June 12, 1945 in Yankton, South Dakota. After being honorably discharged from the service in 1945, he purchased a farm in rural Jefferson, South Dakota. This farm evolved into Claussen Truck Farm and Greenhouse. Earl and Louise built their tiny greenhouse, that they used to start vegetable plants, into a 40,000 square foot greenhouse. The farm and greenhouse were their single-minded pursuit for over 50 years. Louise, his lifelong partner, passed away on December 2, 2009, after 64 years of marriage.
Survivors include two children, Patsy (Larry) Johnson of Sioux City, Iowa, and Dale (Helen) Claussen of McCook Lake, South Dakota; one brother, John Claussen of Sioux City, Iowa; 3 grandchildren, Christine Johnson, David (Laura) Johnson and Leslie Claussen; and 5 great-grandchildren, U.S. Marine, Michael Johnson, Ashley, Aaron, Tyler and Courtney Johnson.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Louise.
Tributes
"I always looked forward to the visits to the greenhouses and farm and the chance to visit with Earl and Louise and their children and grandchildren. I also looked foward to the family reunions in Quimby. I was unaware that Louise had passed away. I would like to hear from Dale and Patsy again."
"My sympathy to the family of Earl and Louise. As a child I was a customer with my parents. Later I was an employee, but always I was treated as a freind. The world is a better place because of Earl and Louise and their kindness and generosity. "
"My sympathy to all the family. I did not know of Louise's passing until reading Earl's obituary. My parents owned the grocery store in Cushing IA. Dad & mom's (George & Fern Cockburn) first trip to Claussen Greenhouses had dad returning to tell me he had just been to heaven...or at least as close as he thought was possible on earth. He told of the beautiful big house of geraniums blooming in all their glory and row after row of the most beautiful lush plants he had ever seen. He couldn't wait to take me on the trip to the greenhouses. Dad passed away in 1987 at 57 years old. Mom continued in the store and then retired and sold out. I had written to Louise after my mother, Fern passed away in November of 2008. She and mom had written to each other, and I wanted to tell her of mom's passing. Thank you to all for sharing your wonderful, kind parents with us. Our family has many fond memories of the greenhouse. God bless all of you. May special memories help to ease the saddness of loosing them."
"One of my fondest memories was when our parents would take us as kids out to the farm to buy produce and see Louise & Earl. Both were very kind and generous. Some times they would let us help with the picking of the crops in the fall time. Our condolences to the family. "