Frances J. (Vopat) Claussen passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at the
Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth, Kansas, at the age of 86. She was born on March 8, 1934 in Rural Lincoln County, Kansas to Joseph
G. and Pauline M. (Kral) Vopat.
Frances moved to the Helus Farm when she was 5. As a young girl, she
helped her parents with chores which included cooking, washing,
gathering eggs, and milking cows.
Frances attended Mt. Ayer School for 8 years. She walked
approximately three miles to school with her brother Richard. Winter
walks were especially challenging because of the snow. During bad
weather, a horse was her mode of transportation to school. Her seventh
grade teacher was Van Earle Claussen, who later in life became her
brother-in-law. Frances attended Wilson High School where her favorite
subject was Algebra.
At the start of her senior year she dated an attractive young man,
Loyal Claussen. Her first date was to a barn dance. Following her
graduation, she lived with Harry and Bertha Claussen while Loyal served
in the Korean War. During this time, she worked at Crown Laundry in
Salina. On May 23, 1955 Frances was united in marriage to Loyal and in
1964 they moved to the Laverna Hunter Farm. It had just been remodeled
with all the modern conveniences. She lived there approximately 50 years
before the house burned in 2011. A new house was constructed on the
same site in 2012.
Frances and Loyal had four children: Beverly, Nancy, Brad, and Dawn.
They attended and supported many sporting events, music programs,
dances, plays, speeches, and activities. Frances’ children think of her
as a wonderful mother who was very caring, loving, and always
hard-working. House cleaning was always a huge part of her life for over
40 years. She also enjoyed sewing and flowers. She loved doing for
others and lived each day to the fullest. Frances was also a member of
the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her children, Beverly (Larry) Vasko, Nancy
(Randy) Peschka, Brad (Dorothy) Claussen, and Dawn (John) Dolezal; eight
grandchildren, Ryan (Amber) Peschka, Amy (Scott) Phillips, Kelvi
(Karlton) Place, Stacy Vasko, Courtney (Adam) Kramer, Ryan Claussen,
Curtis Dolezal, and Colby (Sydney Rugan) Dolezal; 11
great-grandchildren, Lainey, Mallory, and Landon Peschka, Kinly, Kari,
and Kaci Place, AJ Kramer, Aubrey Hudson, Logan Kirkbride, Leo Kramer,
and Cory Davenport; and brother, Joe (Sheryl) Vopat.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Pauline; husband,
Loyal; brother, Richard Vopat; and great-granddaughter, Karaline Place.
Click HERE for service details.