Willard M. Claussen

Willard M. Claussen, 93, of Grand Island died Thursday, August 16, 2018, at Park Place in Grand Island. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Thursday, August 23, 2018, at Apfel Funeral Home. The Reverend Gary Smith will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Wednesday at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Willard was born on September 5, 1924, in Creston, NE, to William and Susie (Moran) Claussen. He grew up in Creston and graduated from Creston High School. He went on to attend University of Nebraska at Lincoln until he entered the United States Navy in 1944. He was honorably discharged June 1946.

On December 29, 1947, Willard was united in marriage to Gertrude “Trudy” Wiemer in Creston. After which the couple lived in Lincoln where he was employed by a public accounting firm. The couple moved several times and settled in Grand Island in 1967. He retired from his accounting career after working for the Grand Island Veterans Home for 16 years.

Willard enjoyed dancing, Husker Football, animals, and spending time with family.

Survivors include children: Doug (Rosalie) Claussen of Lincoln, NE, Robert (Rose Ann Blanchat) Claussen of Wichita, KS, Greg Claussen of Wichita, KS, Kris (Terry) Fegter of Grand Island, NE; grandchildren: Joey Claussen of Wichita, KS, Brad (Michaela) Claussen of Phoenix, AZ, Kate (A.J.) Ney of Minneapolis, MN; great grandsons: Daniel Claussen of Wichita, KS, Calvin Ney of Minneapolis, MN; brother-in-law: Robert Wiemer of Honolulu, HI, and sister-in-law: Helen Wiemer of Creston, NE.

Willard was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Trudy in 2010; and sisters: Irene Severin, Crystal Behlen, and Phyllis Ruiz.