Roger Clausen

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     Roger Harry Clausen was born on a farm near Holstein, Iowa on July 26, 1938, to Harry and Wilma (Sorensen) Clausen. He was raised and grew up on a farm near Holstein. Roger attended country school for several years, then attended elementary school in town and graduated from Holstein High School in 1956. During his high school years, he was involved in football, track and music. After graduating from high school, he attended Wayne State College for 4 years and graduated with a BA in Industrial Arts, a minor in business and a certification to teach Drivers Education. While at Wayne he was a member of the Epsilon Pi Tau national honorary fraternity in the field of Industrial Arts and Vocational Education. Roger was always a strong advocate for vocational skills in the school curriculum. He met a sweet lady from Ida Grove named Carol Bumann. They were married on August 14, 1960. They then moved to Missouri Valley, Iowa where he began his teaching career, and they would raise their family. He taught Drivers Education for seven years and Industrial Arts for 12 years. He also taught summer driver’s education in Harlan, Iowa for several years. While working full time, helping farmers on the side and raising a family, Roger attended UNO to acquire his master’s degree in secondary administration. He then became the principal for Missouri Valley High School from 1972 to 2000, when he retired after 40 years in the Missouri Valley School District. In 1996, he was named Southwest Iowa Principal of the year. In 2001, he received an administrative award from the Iowa State Boys Athletic Association at a boy’s state basketball tournament for his support of all school athletics. Roger attempted to make an appearance at all school activities, home and away, during his career at the high school. He rarely missed a game, concert, track meet, play, etc. and the chance to watch the Big Reds. His devotion to these activities continued after retirement as he seldom missed a grandkid event as well.

     Roger was also active in his community. In 2009, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mo Vally Chamber. He was a 64-year member of the MV Lions Club, and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a long-time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir and was a member of the Church Council. Roger’s hobbies centered around being outdoors. He enjoyed working with wood projects, gardening, hunting, fishing, and chopping firewood in the hills. He passed these hobbies down to his kids and grandkids, as they still enjoy doing what he loved. He thought everything was fixable, never threw anything away and baling wire was his go-to. He loved being with his family, grandchildren and friends. After retirement, he helped Carol with her day care kids and they called him Grandpa Roger. We will all miss him so much.

     Roger passed away on December 21, 2024, at the age of 86 year, four months and 25 days.

     Roger was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Judie Clausen. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol; children, Mike Clausen (Margaret White), Terry (Jennifer) Clausen, Brian Clausen, Connie (Dave) Muell, Mark (Meri) Clausen and Jennifer (TJ) Artman; grandchildren, Drew (Jessica), Alex, Noah, Claire, Brett, Blake, Beau, Jordan (Taylor), Morgan, Madison, McKenna, Gage, Taylor and Kelsey; great-grandsons, Jude and Henry; brothers, Don Clausen and Loren (Marsha) Clausen; and many nieces, nephews and friends.