Lloyd Edward Clasen

Lloyd Edward Clasen. . .

was born to George Walter and Hulda (Schemmel) Clasen on March 11, 1916 on the family farm near Rock Rapids, Iowa. When he was a year old, he moved with his parents to a farm near Elkton, South Dakota. A year later, he again moved with his parents to a farm near Alvord, Iowa. Then, in 1922, they returned to the family farm where Lloyd went to country school. He continued his education at Wilson High School in Rock Rapids and graduated in 1934. Upon completion of his education, he helped on the family farm. In 1938, he became employed at the John Deere Dealership in Rock Rapids as the mechanic and maintenance person. In 1942, he went back to help on the family farm while his brother was in the army. When his brother returned from the service, Lloyd began working at the International Harvester Dealership in Rock Rapids. In 1947, at his mother’s request, he returned to help on the farm. On May 26, 1951, he was united in marriage to Anna Marie Flesher at East Side Lutheran in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Following their marriage, they lived on the family farm. In 1958, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where Lloyd worked at the Gordon Arndt International Harvester Dealership. Three years later, he became employed as the heavy equipment mechanic for Barry Construction out of Lake Wilson, Minnesota. In 1964, he began working as the fleet mechanic for Old Home Bakery in Pipestone. In 1974, Lloyd opened Clasen Repair in Pipestone which he continued to own and operate until he retired in 1980. Following his retirement, he worked part-time as the assistant engine instructor in the auto department and the Ag department at the Pipestone Vocational Technical School. He continued working in this capacity until 1985. In January, 1998, they moved into Ridgeview Estates. On March 25, 2003, Anna Marie preceded him in death. After her death, he continued to reside at Ridgeview Estates. In July 3, 2013, Lloyd became a resident at Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone, where he died on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 under hospice care at the age of 100 years, 6 months and 9 days.

Lloyd was baptized on March 11, 1916 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids where he was also confirmed on August 25, 1930. He was currently a member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone where he served on the church board as a deacon. He was also active in the Men’s Club at church and served as treasurer of this group. He was one of the first members of the Pipestone Golden K Kiwanis Group. For 15 years, he served as the treasurer of the Lutheran Brotherhood Branch in Pipestone and Rock Counties. He was a member of the Pipestone Lions Club, and served as the club treasurer. He thoroughly enjoyed being in the Lion’s Clown Club where he was the mechanic on their car. He served as the president of the Ridgeview Tenant Council. He enjoyed traveling, and his trips included places like Alaska, Niagara Falls, Colorado, California, and Florida. His hobby was woodworking. He especially enjoyed attending threshing bees. When Lloyd was younger, he loved to sing in a men’s quartet in Rock Rapids.

He is lovingly remembered by his four children, Laurel Puls and her husband Randy of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Wanda Meyer and her husband Dan of Pierre, South Dakota, Edward Clasen of Rochester, Minnesota and Ruth MacDonald and her husband Mike of St. Paul, Minnesota; and two grandchildren, Megan Hones and her husband Joshua and Eric Puls. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Marie; parents; and one brother, Vernon Clasen.