Obit: Claussen, Willard Clair #2 (1920 - 2007)
Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Claussen, Johnson, Rusch, Zaborowski, Ringelspaugh, Marohl, Yarnall

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI.) February 21, 2007

Claussen, Willard Clair (September 19, 1920 - February 14, 2007)

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Willard C. Claussen, age 86, of Chippewa Falls, WI, formerly of Thorp, WI, died at his home on Wednesday, February 14, 2007. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 19, 2007 at the Thorp United Methodist Church. Rev. Jim Altman officiated and burial followed in the East Thorp Cemetery. Pallbearers were Curtis Matthes, David Partridge, Joseph Claussen, Matthew Thompson, Shaun Claussen, John Zachary Ringelspaugh, Elijah Koller, and Ethan Koller. Visitation was held at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Willard Clair Claussen was born on September 19, 1920 in Joy, NE to John and Cora (Johnson) Claussen. He was raised and educated in Joy and graduated from O’Neill High School in O’Neill, NE. Willard enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1941 and it was there that he met the love of his life at a USO dance. He was united in marriage to Joyce Rusch in Phoenix, AZ on November 28, 1943. After his discharge, they moved back to Nebraska, where they rented a farm and raised Hereford cattle for two years. In 1947, they moved to California and lived in the Compton and Gardena areas. While in California, Willard worked for the Virtue Bros. Furniture Factory. In the fall of 1957, they moved to rural Withee, WI and then later bought a farm in the Town of Reseburg in the fall of 1959. They farmed until retiring in January of 1976, at which time they sold the farm and built a house in Thorp. Willard worked at the Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Thorp, until 1985. After retiring, Willard and Joyce traveled the states. They moved to Wissota Springs Assisted Living in Chippewa Falls in August of 2005.

Willard was a very active member of the Thorp United Methodist Church and had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, woodworking, carpentry, and antiques. He was also a member of the Thorp American Legion Post #118.

He will be sadly missed by Joyce, his wife of 63 years, of Chippewa Falls, WI; four children: Nancy (Bill) Zaborowski of Galesville, WI, Betty (John) Ringelspaugh of Tomah, WI, Charles (Jan) Claussen of Norwalk, WI, and Catherine (Charles) Marohl of Eau Claire, WI; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Delores Yarnall.

"God saw the road was getting rough,

The hills were hard to climb

He gently closed your loving eyes

And whispered, "Peace Be Thine."

The golden gate stood open,

He saw you needed rest,

God’s garden must be beautiful,

For He always picks the best.

Your live is a beautiful memory,

Your absence a silent grief.

You sleep in God’s beautiful garden,

In the sunshine of perfect peace."