Roland Claassen
1926 - 2018
Obituary
Roland Leonard Claassen was born at
home on Oct. 6, 1926, to Leonard and Helen Claassen. He died on
Tuesday (May 8, 2018). Rol's 91 years were all spent in Newton. He
attended Newton schools through the 11th grade.
At age 15, he began dating Donnis
LaGree. They were married on June 11, 1950, with the union lasting 54
years until her death in March 2004.
Rol's business endeavors included a
partnership with his father, Leonard, and brother, Richard, in
Claassen Oil Company (a Phillips 66 Distributorship) and Claassen
Lumber Company, which became Claassen Hardware and Lumber - a
family-owned business for 64 years.
After closing the lumber yard, he
maintained an office at Cedar Village until two weeks before his
death.
Rol was a member of First Methodist
Church, where he was active in the choir and various committees.
He is survived by his two sons: Darrel
and his wife, LaRita, and Dan and his wife, Anna. He was blessed with
five grandchildren: Brittany, Marisa, Taylor, Paige and Sam; and five
great-grandchildren: Stella, Maverick, Mack, Kinley and Beckham.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; his wife, Donnis; and his brother, Richard.
Viewing and visitation will be from 5
to 9 p.m. Friday (May 11, 2018) at Petersen Funeral Home, with the
family present from 6:30 to 8 p.m. A graveside service will be held
at 10 a.m. Saturday (May 12, 2018) at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton,
followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist
Church.
Memorial contributions may be given to
TMS Global (The Mission Society) in care of Peterson Funeral Home,
215 N. Main St., Newton.
