1923 – Robert Darrel Clauson – 2019
Robert Clauson was born on August 23, 1923 in Slayton, MN to Wm and Mable Clauson. He was raised on the family farm a mile outside of Hadley, MN and graduated from Slayton High School in 1940. He continued farming for the first few years of WWII before joining the Army in October of 1944. Bob served in the European Theater of operations where his brother Willard was serving, and helped liberate Ebensee Concentration Camp, Austria, in April of 1945. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Bob attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota. On August 6, 1949, Bob married the love of his life, Eleanor Irene Wilcoxon. They celebrated their 70th anniversary this year. Bob and Ellie moved to Sioux Falls in 1950, where their children Gwen, Craig, Barbara and Brad were born. In 1960, the family moved to Phoenix, AZ where Bob worked in accounting, then taught school in Washington District, retiring in 1983. During retirement he devoted his energies and activities to the great passions of his life – his wife, his family, and his many great friends. Bob’s devotion to family and friends manifested itself in many ways, most notably the time he shared with them, which was treasured by all. Bob passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the age of 92.
Survivors include his wife, Ellie, children, Gwen, Craig, Barb, and Brad (Kim), six grandchildren, Jeremy (Jessica), Josh (Salote), Nick and Alexandra (Joe), Amanda and Erik, and two great-grandchildren, McKenna and Rhyans and many dearly loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and 10 siblings.
Funeral Services will be held at Hadley Lutheran Church in Hadley, MN on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. with Bob Ossefoort officiating with special music by Heidi Winter. Interment is at Highland Home Cemetery in Hadley, MN. Military honors accorded by the Slayton American Legion Post and the Slayton VFW Post.
Visitation will be on hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
