Ronald Allen Clausen

Ronald Allen Clausen, 74, of Rochester, passed away Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. He was at Hospice of the Valley in Mesa, Ariz., for five days before succumbing to an 11-month, hard-fought battle with gallbladder cancer.

Ron was born to Elmer and Marie Clausen on Sept. 14, 1940, and grew up on the family farm near Stacyville, Iowa. He attended a one-room schoolhouse until third grade and then went on to graduate from St. Ansgar High School (Iowa), where he participated in track and football. Ron married his high school sweetheart, Audrey Jean Baldner, on July 16, 1960, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Toeterville, Iowa. In their 54 years together, they shared so many memorable times which included dancing, playing cards, family vacations, Vikings games, visiting casinos, and many trips and happy hours with friends. They spent their summers boating on the Mississippi River and camping in Wabasha for 49 years, and their winters were as snow birds in Arizona for 14 years.

Ron worked at the Oliver Plant in Charles City, Iowa, until moving to Rochester in 1961. He worked at Gopher Aviation for 10 years until they closed. He then worked at the Woodruff Company for a short time until he went to the Rochester State Hospital as a purchasing agent. When the hospital closed in 1982, he commuted to the Regional State Hospital in Faribault until he retired in 1997. He worked part-time at RCTC until 2003. He spent several years coaching and helping with youth football and hockey. Ron was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, the Legion, the Eagles, and a lifetime member of the Elks.

Ron enjoyed fishing, hunting and shooting pool. He kept physically fit doing chin ups and playing football with the grandkids. He didn't require a lot of sleep and loved to socialize. He was a jack-of-all-trades and could fix anything and was always ready to lend a helping hand.

Ron was a devoted husband, supportive dad and awesome "Pops." He loved spending time with his grandkids taking them tubing on the Mississippi, attending their concerts and sporting events, and sharing stories of growing up on the farm. He will be remembered for his smile, quick wit, and all the lessons he taught us, especially the importance of family through thick and thin.

Ron is survived by his wife, Audrey; daughter, Kristie (Eldon) Anderson of Stewartville and son, Bruce (Colleen) of Apple Valley; five grandchildren, Kaylie and Monika Anderson and Karina, Shelby and Brody Clausen; sister, Ann (Dean) Boynton of Anoka; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Myrna and Shirley, and brother, Rodney.

Visitation will be at the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home on Friday, Dec 5, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec 6, in the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home.

Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com.