Dean L. Claassen

Dean L. Claassen, 89 of Emerson, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at a local care facility. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Emerson. Pastor Charlotte Eversol will officiate. Visitation will be from 10-12, at the church. Mohr & Becker-Hunt Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Dean was born on December 25, 1931 in Spencer, Nebraska, the son of Henry and Ruth (Baker) Claassen. He attended school in Spencer, and graduated in 1949. On March 18, 1954 he married Mary Saunders in Yankton, South Dakota.

Dean spent years working in California, Texas, South Dakota, and Venezuela, eventually returning to Nebraska. Throughout his working years, he worked at REA, in a tire repair shop, was an electric motor repairman, a scuba diver, and a deep sea diver. 

He was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Emerson, Nebraska, as well as a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Mary Claassen of Emerson, NE; his children: Judy Jacobs of Eagle Lake, MN; Rick Claassen (Jackie) of Dakota City, NE; Mary Koepke (Keith) of Sioux City; and Tim Claassen (Patty) of Umatilla, OR; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters; a brother; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ruth; a brother, Lloyd; and 3 granddaughters: Katie Koepke, Laura Koepke, and April Claassen.