Roger H. Clausen

Roger H. Clausen

1938 – 2024

HOLSTEIN - Roger Harry Clausen, 86, passed away on Dec. 21, 2024. A funeral service was held on Jan. 3, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran church in Missouri Valley, Iowa. The officiant was Rev. Jean McCartney. The musicians were Brit and Sue Liljedahl and Carole Gorham. The musical selections were “Wings of a Dove”, “On Eagle’s Wings”, and congregational songs “Lift High the Cross” and “Edelweiss.” The honorary pallbearers were Clark Conover, Don Gerber, DeWitt Gries, Dean Hammer, Ed Hawks, Don Hoffman, the late Don Kane, John Laughhunn, the late Ferdy Mefferd, Van Phillips, the late Richard Powell, and Frank Smith. The pallbearers were Drew Clausen, Jordan Muell, Alex Clausen, Brett Clausen, Morgan Muell, Blake Clausen, Madison Muell, McKenna Clausen, Noah Clausen, Beau Clausen, Claire Clausen, Gage Clausen, Taylor Artman and Kelsey Artman. Roger’s final resting place is at the Branson Cemetery. Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements.

He was born on a farm near Holstein on July 26, 1938, to Harry and Wilma (Sorensen) Clausen. He was raised and grew up on a farm near Holstein. Roger attended country school for several years, then attended elementary school in town and graduated from Holstein High School in 1956. During his high school years, he was involved in football, track, and music. After graduating from high school, he attended Wayne State College for four years and graduated with a BA in Industrial Arts, a minor in business, and a certification to teach Drivers Education. While at Wayne he was a member of the Epsilon Pi Tau national honorary fraternity in the field of Industrial Arts and Vocational Education. Roger was always a strong advocate for vocational skills in the school curriculum. He met a sweet lady from Ida Grove named Carol Bumann. They were married on Aug. 14, 1960. They then moved to Missouri Valley, Iowa where he began his teaching career, and they would raise their family. He taught Drivers Education for seven years and Industrial Arts for 12 years. He also taught summer driver’s education in Harlan, Iowa for several years. While working full-time, helping farmers on the side, and raising a family, Roger attended UNO to acquire his master’s degree in secondary administration. He then became the principal of Missouri Valley High School from 1972 to 2000, when he retired after 40 years in the Missouri Valley School District. In 1996, he was named Southwest Iowa Principal of the Year. In 2001, he received an administrative award from the Iowa State Boys Athletic Association at a boy’s state basketball tournament for his support of all school athletics. Roger attempted to make an appearance at all school activities, home and away, during his career at the high school. He rarely missed a game, concert, track meet, play, etc., and the chance to watch the Big Reds. His devotion to these activities continued after retirement as he seldom missed a grandkid event as well.

Roger was also active in his community. In 2009, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mo Valley Chamber. He was a 64-year member of the MV Lions Club and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a long-time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir and was a member of the Church Council. Roger’s hobbies centered around being outdoors. He enjoyed working on wood projects, gardening, hunting, fishing, and chopping firewood in the hills. He passed these hobbies down to his kids and grandkids, as they still enjoy doing what he loved. He thought everything was fixable, never threw anything away and baling wire was his go-to. He loved being with his family, grandchildren, and friends. After retirement, he helped Carol with her daycare kids and they called him Grandpa Roger. We will all miss him so much.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Judie Clausen. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol; children, Mike Clausen (Margaret White), Terry (Jennifer) Clausen, Brian Clausen, Connie (Dave) Muell, Mark (Meri) Clausen and Jennifer (TJ) Artman; grandchildren, Drew (Jessica), Alex, Noah, Claire, Brett, Blake, Beau, Jordan (Taylor), Morgan, Madison, McKenna, Gage, Taylor and Kelsey; great-grandsons, Jude and Henry; brothers, Don Clausen and Loren (Marsha) Clausen; and many nieces, nephews and friends.