Kenneth W. Claussen, 79, Fort Atkinson / Lake Mills, died early morning on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at his home following a valiant battle with lung cancer.
He was born on December 9, 1944, in Atkinson, NE, the 5th child of the late Edward and Margaret (Dierks) Claussen.
In 1963 he graduated from Atkinson High School, attended Hastings Presbyterian College from 1964-1965 on an academic and basketball scholarship, attended Wayne State College from 1965-1966, and in 1967 graduated from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science where he became friends with Timothy Dunlap who introduced him to the little sister that was to become his future wife.
Following graduation, he served his apprenticeships in North Platte, Nebraska for licensure for funeral director and embalmer.
On February 4, 1968, he married Pamela Dunlap.
Ken and Pam returned to North Platte to live until a funeral home came up for sale in Lake Mills, WI. Using his inheritance from the sale of the Claussen family farm in Holt County Nebraska he purchased this funeral home. He opened doors to serve the community on April 1, 1969.
He learned from his father-in-law, Earl Dunlap and worked alongside him and Tim at Dunlap Memorial Home for many years and upon Earl’s retirement became a co-owner.
He was a member of the Lake Mills Moravian Church, had served on the board of trustees, charter member and past president of the Lake Mills Lions Club, past member of the Lake Mills Masonic Lodge #51 F.& A.M. and Jefferson County Masonic Lodge #9 F. & A.M., ZOR Scottish Rites (Madison), Sahara Shrine Club, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #66, Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, South Central Funeral Directors Association and trained five apprentice funeral directors including his daughter, Carla, nephew, Nathan, and special current employee, Lydia Hildebrandt.
He enjoyed having a bowling team for 18 years, watching PACKERS football, Brewers baseball, traveling, going on cruises, being a casual slot player, deer hunting, coin collecting, fishing in Canada, and his annual fishing trips for many years in Northern Wisconsin with several fishing buddies.
Ken was very kind with an unconditional love who gave hugs freely. No matter what time of day or night he would be there for family’s who called upon him sometimes working 24 hours straight. He had a way of finding uses for just about anything and was creative to “rig” up solutions to make something work. If there was something that was wanted or needed he generally could find one or two laying around. Not that things were organized but we’d often hear “its in the garage you just have to look for it”
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Pamela of Fort Atkinson; daughter, Christin (Ken) Jaworski of Green Bay, Curtis (Mindi Sharbuno) of Fort Atkinson, Carla (Troy Phillips) Claussen Wubben of Sun Prairie; grandchildren, Bailey (Chris Lane) Jaworski of Jersey City, NJ, Quinn Jaworski of Neenah, Lucas Wubben of Madison; granddaughter in heart, Lydia (Max Horne) Hildebrandt of Windsor; two sisters-in-law, Zoe Claussen, Vangie Hamik; brother-in-law, Timothy (Linda) Dunlap of Fort Atkinson; nephews and nieces, Edward (Mary Jane) Ethington, Juanita Bronz, Deb (Dale) Briggs, Linda Ries, Harold (Wendy) Claussen, Lisa (Mac) Smith, Gina (Darin) Yunek, Shelly (Bob) Membrilia, Renee Lee, Jeff (Chris) Dunlap, Jenny Probst, Nathan (Emily) Dunlap, Kiara (Tim) Daniels, T.J. Dunlap; extended family and many others that were dear to him.
Preceding him in death were his siblings, Lorraine Oliver, Regina Williamsen, Laverne Claussen, Harold Gene Claussen, and niece Cheri Lee.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the Lake Mills Moravian Church with visitation to begin at 9 a.m.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024, at the Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson.
A second visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Claussen Funeral Home in Lake Mills.
Should anyone have a favorite photo of Ken please bring or email to claussenfh1@aol.com to create a memorial collage.
A private family burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Fort Atkinson.
If desired, memorials would be appreciated to the Lake Mills Moravian Church.
Kenneth W. Claussen
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