Edward Clauss

CLAUSS, EDWARD;age 91; of Mt. Pleasant; passed away Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Woodland Hospice in Mt. Pleasant. Funeral Services for Ed will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jonathon Bakker and Pastor Benjamin Ulledalen officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, and a luncheon will follow back at the church. Visitation will take place on Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church. Ed touched lives for 60 years as teacher, coach, Athletic Director, Principal, Assistant Principal and Central Michigan University student/athlete. In each of these roles he never wavered on principles, values and core beliefs. School was a place of learning academically and socially. “Mr. Clauss” was to be respected. This is a legacy he left behind in our community. For those privileged to call him father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather was the importance of faith, family and friends. For 62 years he shared his life with his beloved wife, Barbara. Their gracious hospitality was how they showed their love. Their river home was a haven to all who came their way. Ed lived a full life beginning in 1924 born the son of a Russian/German immigrants, Adam and Anna (Weigandt) Clauss, Jr. He attended Arthur Hill High School where he excelled in athletics and formed a lifelong bond with five dear friends. He missed his graduation ceremony to serve his country in the U.S. Navy in WWII. He later attended Central Michigan playing football and baseball and there he met his wife, Barbara Finlayson. They married August 28, 1948 in Traverse City. She preceded him in death on January 8, 2011. His pending Pro baseball career came to an end in order to serve In the Korean War. Following his service, he taught at Rochester and Sparta before moving back to Mt. Pleasant. Besides dedicating the rest of his career to the Mt. Pleasant School System, he was actively involved in CMU athletics. He ran the clock at all CMU basketball and football games for nearly 40 years. Baseball was a passion and was honored to be chosen “Fan of the Year”. In addition to sports Ed loved to hunt, fish and play golf. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church where he served as elder for many years. His Lord and Savior called him home on April 23, 2016. He will be forever remembered and loved by his family and friends. Ed is preceded in death by his parents, wife Barbara, infant daughter Tracy; brothers, Adam and Henry Clauss; and his sister, Minnie (Clauss) Smith. He is survived by three children, Tonia (Douglas) Pratt of Bay City; Terri (Jim) Glenn of Traverse City and Timothy Clauss of Spring Lake.; grandchildren, Carrie (Doug) Houtman, Jenny (Robert) Laws, Katie (Richard) Reichelt, Barbara (Matt) Brayton, David (Lauren) Glenn, Joseph (Heather) Glenn, Adam Clauss, Emily Clauss, 16 great grandchildren, and his sister, Joyce (Norm) Krogman of Saginaw, MI. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either Zion Lutheran Church, Isabella County Retired School Personnel Scholarship Fund, or Woodland Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the church. The family is being served by Clark Family Funeral Chapel. You may view Ed’s obituary online and send a condolence to the family, light a memorial candle, or place a memorial donation at www.clarkfuneralchapel.com