"Remembering the old days at the Ricketts bank and when our boys were young. Steve will be truely missed. Marge Schreiber"
In loving memory of
Stephen Claussen
October 22, 1946 - May 31, 2013
Stephen Craig Claussen, 66, of Iowa City, Iowa, died surrounded by his family on Friday, May 31, 2013, from colon cancer at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Steve was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on October 22, 1946, and although he lived in many places throughout his life, Ricketts, Iowa, was always home. He was baptized at Blencoe Congregational Church on April 4, 1947, and was confirmed at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ricketts, Iowa on March 26, 1961.
Steve lived a full life with German determination and a playful sense of humor. Steve graduated from Schleswig High School in 1964, where he participated in football and band. In May 1967, Steve went into the U.S. Army, serving in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. After returning from the war in December 1968, he attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville where, in 1970, he met and married Karen Gailey of Battle Creek, Iowa. He graduated in 1973 with his BS in Education. That same year, Steve and Karen had their first son, JP. The family moved to Ricketts in 1976, where Steve worked at Farmers Savings Bank. Their second son, Cory, was born that year and Lucas, their youngest boy, was born in 1982. Steve worked at banks in Ricketts and Schleswig for 20 years. Throughout that time, he was always active in the community. Steve served as a volunteer firefighter in Ricketts and as a member and President of the Schleswig Community Schools School Board. He was active at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ricketts, and was a member of the VFW in Schleswig and the American Legion in Charter Oak. Playing trumpet in the Schleswig German Band was one of his great joys.
In 1993, Steve married Barb Gosch of Ida Grove, Iowa and lived in Ida Grove for a time. In 1997, Steve went back to school to pursue his MA in Education at Morningside College in Sioux City. After earning his degree he returned to his true calling, education. He was first a K-12 Guidance Counselor in the Elk Horn-Kimballton School District from 1996-1999 and then worked at Alta Community Schools from 1999-2002.
In 2002, Steve embarked on a life-changing adventure to teach English in China, living and working there for eight years. He taught in the very different cities of Benxi and Dalian in northern China as well as in Wuhan at the Maple Leaf International School in central China. While vacationing in Vietnam in 2008, he met, fell in love with, and married, Lieu Duong. That same year, Steve was diagnosed with the cancer that would take his life. He eventually returned to the United States to seek care with the VA medical system, and in his final year moved to Iowa to be closer to home and family.
Steve fought his cancer bravely for 5 years. He displayed courage, humor and tenacity until the very end. The care he received from the VA medical system, especially the Palliative Care team at the Iowa City VA, was exceptional. He and his family were blessed that he was able to choose to spend his final months at home, thanks, in part, to the compassionate and extraordinary support of Iowa City Hospice and the Hospice Unit at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.
Steve enjoyed travel, woodworking, riding his bikes, home improvements, cooking, and recently learned how to a quilt, something that gave him great joy and that he was able to do until his death. Steve is survived by three sons - JP and his wife, Alice, and Steve's grandchildren, Justice, Maya, and Stefany; Cory; and, Lucas. He also leaves behind two sisters: Nancy and Carol, and her husband, Bill; and one brother, David. He leaves behind his dear partner, Lieu, and her four children; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty Lou and Paul.
Any donations, made in memorial, may be sent to Iowa City Hospice at 1025 Wade Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 or online at http://iowacityhospice.org/donate/.
Tributes
"My sincere sympathy to the Claussen family. Steve was my neighbor in Iowa City. Despite the pain he endured during those last months, he was cheerful, good humored and could smile. His religious upbringing showed through and his deep faith was evident. His three sons deserve special recognition for their compassionate care given to their father in those last days of his life. Peace and Blessings to all...Sister Marie Vittetoe CHM"
"My condolences to Steve's family. His smile and insight made him a great man to teach with at Elk Horn-Kimballton."
"I taught with Steve at Elk Horn-Kimballton. I found him to be a very caring teacher. My deepest sympathy to his family. Virginia Conklin"
"Nancy, Carol and David, So sorry for your loss. I, too, remember when the Menzel kids first came to town. That was a big deal. Good memories. Had a good visit with Steve the last time we were together. It was great to hear about his adventures. Zeone (Jensen) DeMarrais"
"One of the most bravest men I have ever known. Taught me to drive the fire truck."
"Always remember his smile. And appreciated Steve giving my son Matthew a job In Ricketts at the cabinates factory, great skills were learned!"
"I'm thinking it was 1955 when the 3 Menzel kids first attended Arlene Baak's class at Ricketts school. How exciting - 3 new faces, 3 new friends (and cousins)! With Stephen, our 5th grade class swelled to 3 students! Yes, Ricketts was proud to welcome Betty, Nancy, Stephen and Carol as residents that year. I do remember it well, and fondly. To all of Stephen's friends and family, please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Anitra (Mundt) Koski"
"he is a good teacher?when i was studyed in ESL,he always kind to me and he spend so many times to taught us how to writte a good essay?sometimes he gave us home made cookies to us?we knew his health is not good,when he was in hospital we written a card to him?we love him so much! he is such a great teacher!"
"Growing up in Ricketts was truly a unique experience. In Ricketts I didn't just have one father who shaped my life. I had many and I am proud to say Steve was one of them. Logan Carlson Thanks for all that you did for the Kids of Ricketts you will be missed."
"Steve was such a big part of my life growing up in Ricketts. In Ricketts everyone was like family and I can't remember a time when I didn't know him. I baby sat the boys for several years and Steve and Karen lived next door to my grandparents. Keeping all the family in my thoughts and prayers. Lisa Carlson Angle"
"He's my favorite teacher in Maple Leaf. He used all class-time to help us editing our essay. Just sat in front of you, not like a teacher, but a grandpa.(Even our grammar was really bad when we were in ESL) He also brought his home-made cookie for us. He could easily find the Chinese subtitle when he showed movie to us(He knew what we like). He also commanded on our facebook like an old friend. I love him so much. So do many Maple Leaf students. Gracious Mr.Steve. WE LOVE YOU FOREVER. Sincerely, Chris Liu from Wuhan Maple Leaf School"
"I remember when Nancy, Steve and Carol first came to Ricketts when their mom married Paul back in the 1950's. All of us at the "country school in town" were excited to meet the new kids and we weren't disappointed! Most of us also interacted at St. Luke's for Sunday School and confirmation. After the consolidation with Schleswig School in 5th grade, I didn't see as much of Steve, as he was two years ahead of me. One of my clearest memories of Steve is listening to him play Al Hirt's "Java" on his trumpet. He and his family also lived next to Henry & Margaret after they moved from the farm into Ricketts---I'm sure Henry most likely yelled at the little boys to get off his lawn at some point! Our sympathies to his wife, children, as well as to Nancy, Carol and David. Renee Meyer Miller"
"Our heartfelt condolences to Steve's family on your loss. He was a kind and wonderful person. Sincerely, Tom and Ellen Bone."