Forrest Claussen

Funeral services for Forrest ‘Forrie’ Claussen will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday,  June 4, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, MN. Pastor Eileen Woyen will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at Bonnerup Funeral Service, 2210 E Main, Albert Lea, MN and again one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Albert Lea Area Veterans Organizations.

Forrest Dale ‘Forrie’ Claussen, age 87, died on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea. Forrest Dale Claussen was born on January 20, 1931 in Pipstone, Minnesota, the son of Howard and Verna (Suhr) Claussen. The family lived in southwestern Minnesota near Pipestone, MN and Jasper, MN. He moved with the family to Moody County, South Dakota in 1936. The family moved to Twin Lakes, MN in 1937 and he finished grade school in District #76, Twin Lakes. Forrie started working for his father in the excavation business at a very early age, around 11 years old. He was baptized at Lunder Lutheran Church, Twin Lakes, MN in 1947.

In March of 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He took basic training at Schofield Barracks, Territory of Hawaii. After basic training Forrie received orders for shipment overseas. Korea was his destination as the Korean War was in full swing. He landed at Incheon and went ashore there. He then moved on to Seoul and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. He ended up in the 39th Field Artillery Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division. He returned to the United States in June of 1952. He spent the remainder of his enlistment at several army camps in the U.S. including Camp McCoy, WI; Camp Carson, CO; Camp Hale, CO; and Fort Leonardwood, MO. He was discharged in March 1954 at Camp Carson, CO.

He returned home and worked many years in the excavation business, working for some years with his father, then in business with his brother Dell. He was self-employed for a while and also worked for Sorensen Brothers for 13 years and Peterson Excavating for 5 years.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, 33 year member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. In 1983, Forrie became active in a number of veterans organizations, holding a number of offices in them. He is a life member of the following: V.F.W. Post #447, American Legion Post #56, Disable American Veterans Post #166, Korean War Veterans, Arden Rowley Chapter of Apache Junction, AZ, Society of the Third Infantry Division Post #12, and has served as President of the Albert Lea Avenue of Flags. He always tried to be an advocate for veteran’s rights.

He married Gretchen Hagen Miller on February 12, 1996. His family includes his wife, Gretchen; daughter Cherie and Andy Seuser and their children Christopher (Michelle), Charlie (Al) Pobanz and their son Diezel, Morgan, Alex, and Forrest of Albert Lea, MN; son, Scott Claussen of Cottage Grove, MN; daughter-in-law, Audrey Claussen and children of Luverne, MN; step-children: Kevin (Rhonda) Miller of Lakeville, MN, Scott (Jackie) Miller of Albert Lea, Gina Miller of Owatonna, MN, Bruce (Shawna) Miller of Bozeman, MT, Cheryl (Scott) Overland of Albert Lea, MN, Carrie (Dan) Grove of Omaha, NE and their families; brothers, Dar Claussen and Dell (June) Claussen of Albert Lea; sister-in-law, Lorene Ingvalson of Austin, MN; brother-in-law, Oliver (Sharlene) Hagen of Austin, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Verna Claussen, brother, Richard Claussen, and sons, John and Terry Claussen.

Memorials preferred to the DAV, VFW, and Trinity Lutheran Church.