Claire Ashling

Claire Ashling died Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Johnson Memorial Nursing Home in Dawson at the age of 96.

A celebration of life will be held at Crossroads Lutheran Church in Dawson from 2-4:00 PM on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

Claire Alfreda (Fousek) Ashling was born April 9, 1929 to Rudolph and Ida (Lynne) Fousek near Clarkfield. She went to Country School District 77 through 3rd grade and then in Boyd. She helped her family run an Implement Store with a gas station and restaurant. Claire was baptized and Bergen Lutheran Church and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. She was united in marriage with Loren Ashling November 10, 1946 in Boyd. They made their home on a farm before moving into Dawson in 1968. Claire ran a boarding house and foster care for children. She loved to care for people of all ages with the help of her family. She did this for 23 years and then it turned into a bed and breakfast which was open until 2014. She also worked at a group home, the nursing home, and Dawson Mills. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and Crossroads Lutheran Church. Claire had a great faith and loved her Lord.

She is survived by a son, Lannie (Brenda) Ashling of Dawson; a daughter, Cindy Ashling of Dawson; a daughter-in-law, Diane (Harold) Kruckman of Montevideo; 10 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way; a brother-in-law, Stan Antolick of Benson; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Loren in 1998; two sons: Larry in 1955 and Gary in 2012; a daughter, Susan (Loretta) in 2014; son-in-law, Doug Myers; a brother, Bob Fousek; and sisters: Marcella Sumner, Doris Ashling, Dorothy Lee, Ina Olson, Gloria Saue, and Judy Antilock.