After a brief hospital stay, Bill Claussen quietly passed away the evening of November 19th, 2021.
William “Bill” Frederick Claussen was born July 14th, 1940, in Spearville, KS, to Victor and Florence (Stein) Claussen. Bill grew up South of town with his siblings, Darrel, Corrine, and Richard. Bill often regaled us with the tale of a big, ol’ mean rooster who would chase the kids around, refusing to let them gather the eggs. Until one day when he went after it with a baseball bat! After that, the rooster left them alone to gather eggs in peace.
Bill married Ann on July 14th, 1962. He never had to worry about remembering their anniversary since it was his birthday! They lived on the farm where they farmed and ranched for nearly 59 years. Ann preceded Bill in death earlier this summer on July 8th, 2021. During their life together they raised three children: Tonya, Doug, and Curt. Bill loved fishing and made many memories with his family fishing in the creek, at Cedar Bluff lake- where he also taught the kids to water ski, and during the yearly trips to Buena Vista, Colorado to trout fish.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Florence Claussen, his brothers Darrel and Richard Claussen, his sister Corrine (Claussen) Eaton, and his wife Annette (Zurbuchen) Claussen. He is survived his children Tonya Claussen Wyles, her husband Jack and their children Sammi and Kola of Buena Vista, CO; Doug Claussen, his wife Rachel and their children Gavin, Zach, Brooke, Luke, and Will, of DeSoto, KS; Curt Claussen and his son Cash of Kansas City, MO; and his brothers-in-law, John Zurbuchen of Spearville, KS and Arlen Eaton of Dodge City, KS, and sister-in-law Kathy Claussen of Colorado Springs, CO.
Bill was a strong man who lived a quiet life. He often said that he felt the presence of God in nature, not church. He loved to watch the crops grow and made lots of trips around the sections to see them. He marveled at the beauty of the new wheat sprouts early in the morning as the rising sun sparkled in the dew. If you find yourself reflecting about Bill, take a walk in the country, go on a mountain hike to find the perfect trout stream. Feel the breeze, the sun, and the gentle rains. Soak in the smells and enjoy the sounds. Walk in a field, grab a handful of the fertile soil, and breath in the scent. At night if you look to the sky, you’ll see the lights of heaven shining through the stars. That is where Bill felt closest to God, and where we can feel closest to him as we remember all the good times and the love he gave us all.
Every farmer puts his land to rest for the winter. On springs horizon it is brought back to life. God has put this farmer to rest, and with a spring in his step, Ann in hand, he walks the horizon to a new life.
Vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Monday, November 29, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Church, Spearville. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at the church with Fr. John Forkuoh presiding. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Spearville. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in his memory to Colorado Trout Unlimited, so that future generations can continue to enjoy fishing in cold mountain streams just like Bill loved to do. https://www.coloradogives.org/coloradoTU/overview?step=step1 or mail to Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.