Dorothy Claussen

Dorothy Lorraine Claussen, 90, a former resident of rural Bettendorf, Iowa died on Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Iowa Masonic Health Facility in Bettendorf following an extended illness.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, October 11, 2013 at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Chapel in Bettendorf.  She will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home and for an hour prior to services on Friday.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Pleasant Valley, the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Heart Association.

She was born at home in Pleasant Valley Township on January 19, 1923, the daughter of John F. & Catherine (Schurr) Ehlers.  On March 21, 1945, she was united in marriage to Elmer F. “Pat” Claussen at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Davenport, Iowa.

Dorothy & her beloved family farmed for many years in rural Bettendorf.  She felt just as comfortable in the fields working alongside her husband & sons as she did in the comfort of her home.

Her memberships included Trinity Lutheran Church of Pleasant Valley where she served as church treasurer and on a variety of other church committees, the local chapter of the American Heart Association where she served as president and the Scott County Extension Council.  In addition, Dorothy was a member & past-president of the Scott County Porkettes, the Scott County Farm Bureau, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the American Simmental Association.

In her spare time, she enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, traveling, baking her delicious cookies, “big” pancakes, raisin pies and most importantly, the company of her children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

On August 1, 1980, Dorothy’s husband, Pat and their sons, Randy and William died in a tragic farm accident.  For many, such a loss would seem impossible to bear, but with courage, strength and the love of her family, Dorothy moved through her loss, lived her life to the fullest and will always remain as an inspiration to others.  During the last few years of her life, Alzheimer’s disease had taken its toll, but despite her illness, she continued to have that warm and loving smile for everyone she met.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughter, Betty Holland of Grapevine, Texas; her son & daughter-in-law, Ronald & Debbie Claussen of Bettendorf; her grandchildren, Christopher (Annie) Holland, Douglas (Emily) Holland, Carrie (Derek) Paper, Ross Claussen, Ryan Claussen and Reid Claussen; her great-grandchildren, Alexandra May Holland, Ian Christopher Holland, Wesley James Holland and Charles Elmer Paper; her sister, Jeanette Claussen; along with many other relatives and wonderful friends.

In addition to her husband and sons, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Debra Kay Claussen on February 23, 1956.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the devoted staff of the Iowa Masonic Health Facility for their wonderful care and to Pastor Warren Riley for his spiritual support.