Lee Norman Clemmensen

1920 - 2012

Funeral services for Lee N. Clemmensen, 92, were conducted by Pastor Doug Opp on Tuesday, Sept.18, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon. Interment was in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers were Andrew Clemmensen, Scott Clemmensen, Andrew Kautman, Corey Powell, Nathan Tibben, and Ian Tibben. The Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon was in charge of the arrangements.    
Lee Norman Clemmensen, the son of Frederick Christian and Emelia Marie (Steffensen) Clemmensen, was born April 8, 1920, at his parents' home in Audubon and died Sept. 15, 2012, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, at the age of 92 years, 5 months, and 7 days.
Lee was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon. He attended the Audubon Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1938.  He then helped his brother-in-law Everett Black, farm.
On April 26, 1942, he was united in marriage to Helen C. Hansen in Maryville, Mo. Later in September of 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty he served in the Pacific Theater – Hawaii, Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. Following the defeat of the Japanese, he was honorably discharged in November of 1945 and returned to the Audubon area. He again farmed with his brother-in-law Everett Black for one year. In 1947, Lee and Helen moved to a farm east of Hamlin, which they operated for the next 22 years. It was here where their three children Julie, Paul, and Susan were born and raised. In 1969, Lee joined the Melville Farms and moved to the Christiansen Ranch north of Audubon near Gray, where he farmed until he retired in 1985. They moved into Audubon. Helen died Sept. 28, 1986.
On Jan. 23, 1988, Lee married Betty Tibben at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon. They enjoyed traveling around the United States visiting family members and also enjoyed camping. Lee lived at home until August of 2011 when he moved to the Friendship Home.
Lee was a lifelong member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon. He was a member of Audubon Post No. 120, American Legion and a member of the Audubon County Beef Producers. He served on the Audubon County Fair Board, the Friendship Home Board, and served on the Des Moines Area Community College Advisory Board for Audubon County.
Lee was preceded in death by his first wife Helen C. Clemmensen; his parents; his brothers and sisters an infant brother who was still born, Emaline  Clemmensen, Clarice and husband Everett Black, Marvin Clemmensen, Imo and husband Leo Myers, Gladys and husband Evald Nielsen, Alma Clemmensen, Delma Clemmensen, Glen and wife Nettie Clemmensen and his brother-in-law Harley Schrader.
Survivors include his wife Betty Clemmensen of Audubon; his children Julie and husband Alan Derby of Greenfield, Paul and wife Janet Clemmensen and Susan Clemmensen all of Urbandale; his grandchildren Stephanie and husband Corey Powell of Ankeny, Laura and husband Andrew Kautman of Gilbert, Andrew and wife Andrea Clemmensen of Waukee, and Scott and Vanessa Clemmensen of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; his great-grandchildren Jackson and Nolan both of Ankeny, Jacob, Owen, and Mia Kautman all of Gilbert, Taylor and Carson Clemmensen both of Waukee, and Olivia and Julia Clemmensen both of Saratoga Springs, Fla.; his step-children Steve and wife Linda Tibben of Cedar Falls, Joel and wife Shirley Tibben of  Denver, Colo., and Kent and wife Penny Tibben of Danville, Ill.; his step-grandchildren Nathan and wife Kristi Tibben of Cedar Falls, Ian and wife Brittany Tibben also of Cedar Falls, Karen and husband Kenny McBroom of Denver, Colo., Ryan Tibben serving in Afghanistan, Erin Tibben of Danville, Ill., Katelyn Tibben of Seward, Neb., and Aidan Tibben of  Danville, Ill.; his step-great-grandchildren Logan Tibben and Lanna and Lillie Tibben all of Cedar Falls, and Chloe McBroom of Denver, Colo.; his sisters and brother Darlene Schrader of Lincoln, Neb., Milo and wife Delores Clemmensen of Audubona, and Nadine and husband Jerry Heiken of Claremont, Fla.; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Arnold and wife Ruth Phelps of Rolla, Mo., Ronald and wife Vickie Phelps of Kimberling City, Mo., Russell Phelps, Jr. and wife Karla of Lebanon, Mo., and Howard Hansen of Audubon; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.