Neelna J. Clausen

NEELNA J. CLAUSEN Neelna Magdalena Jespersen Clausen was born June 24, 1917, on a farm just south of Viborg, South Dakota, the second of Niels and Luddivkke Jespersen's six children. After completing high school she came to California in 1936 with four friends in a Model A sedan and found work in Santa Barbara. She met Arthur B. Clausen at a Danish Young Peoples Society meeting in Solvang and took an immediate dislike to him. After attending Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa, Neelna returned to Solvang where A.B.C. proposed; they were married for 53 loving years until "Bob's" death in 1994. They moved to Oakland in 1942 where they made their home. Neelna was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed her avocation of catering parties and events in the East Bay for over fifty years; she was a volunteer at Fairmont Hospital, Dunsmuir House and Gardens and the Salem Lutheran Home. She was an active member of the High Street Presbyterian Church in Oakland. She served as Co-Moderator of High Street's Presbyterian women and Moderator of Church Women United's Oakland Unit. Neelna was a charter member of the Danish Heritage Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa as well as the last dues paying member of the Young Peoples Society's group, "Bavnen", in Oakland. She delighted in entertaining family and friends, cooking, crocheting, growing tomatoes and flowers and canning her home-grown apricots. For many years, she participated in morning Tai Chi exercises with a delightful group of ladies at Avenue Terrace Park. She was also a cheerful participant in the just completed ten-year Women's Health Initiative study at Kaiser Hospital. Surrounded by her family, Neelna died serenely, at home, on August 1, 2004, twelve weeks after being diagnosed with colon cancer. She was a loving and caring, thoughtful and considerate, understanding and spiritual, enthusiastic and happy person who will be truly missed by all who knew her. Sove Sodt, Lillie Mor. "Gran-o" is survived by her loving children: Barbara Hallisey and son-in-law, Michael; son, Edmund; granddaughter, Laurie Heaton and husband, Steven and a multitude of family and friends. The family wishes to thank the staff of Pathways Hospice for their unwavering support, tender care and many kindnesses. A memorial service celebrating Neelna's life will be held at High Street Presbyterian Church on Friday, August 13, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. Interment at Bethania Cemetery, Viborg, South Dakota. Memorials may be made to High Street Presbyterian Church, 1945 High Street, Oakland, CA 94601, or a favorite charity. COLONIAL CHAPEL Funeral Directors 2626 High Street Oakland, CA 510-536-5454 FD-461