Charles Claussen

A service honoring Charlie’s life will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Pastor Jim McColley officiating. The visitation is 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services. The service will be live streamed through the St. Olaf Lutheran Church Facebook page. Memorials left in Charlie’s name will be donated to charities.

Charlie was born Aug. 31, 1950, to Vernon Morris and Ella Dagny (Allison) Claussen in Fort Dodge. He was raised on a dairy farm south of Gilmore City and graduated from Gilmore City-Bradgate High School in 1968. He married Joan Rasmussen on March 17, 1971, and a daughter, Rachal, was born to this union. Charlie married Rosalia Buda on Dec. 13, 1997. They shared a partnership of deep love and respect. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1973 from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973 and was employed that same year as a Juvenile Court Officer for the State of Iowa where he served for 33 years, retiring in 2006.

In retirement, Charlie’s health was unkind and, although physically frail, he was strong where it matters and optimistic about life. He never complained or lost his sense of humor, and he was always fun to be around. Charlie was decent to his core, a wonderful friend, and always the right person to go to for sound advice and words of wisdom. We have lost a prince of a man.

Charlie found joy in all genres of music and was a lifetime vocalist, pianist and bassist. He played in the Vern Claussen Orchestra for 30 years starting at age 15 and later with the 408 Band, Rhythm Ramblers, St. Olaf Lutheran Church Contemporary Band, and the Larry Davis Band. He was a favorite substitute for the Malek Fishermen. Until his death he loved to jam with his friends. He also had a passion for motorcycling and belonged to Fort Dodge Chili Society for a good ten years.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalia Claussen; a daughter, Rachal Claussen of Dayton; a brother, Douglas Claussen of Bennett, Colo.; two granddaughters, Emerald Foster (Nolan Duhn) of Fort Dodge and Kennedy Foster (fiance Zach Buffington) of Boone; two great-grandsons, Austin and Mason Duhn, and a great-granddaughter, Makenzie Duhn, all of Fort Dodge; and two nephews, Mitchell Bowman of East Ridge, Tenn., and Charles Bowman of Temple, Texas; as well as many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Nancy Bowman; a brother, Andrew Claussen; and two infant daughters, Molly Joan and Naomi June Claussen.

He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and enlisted for the boards of Youth Shelter Care and Gateway to Discovery.

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