Ephrata flags at half-mast for Claussen

Honoring former Grant County PUD commissioner

EPHRATA - All flags possessed by the City of Ephrata are hung at half-mast through Saturday in memory of former Grant County Public Utility District Commissioner Vera Claussen.

City Administrator Wes Crago encourages other public agencies in the community to join the city's effort to honor Claussen by lowering their flags. The flags were first lowered Monday.

Claussen, 78, died in a house fire at her Soap Lake residence Jan. 15. The fire is believed to have started due to a malfunctioning electrical device.

She was a PUD commissioner for 24 years and is known to many as "Mrs. Public Power" and "a warrior in pearls."

Claussen focused her career toward making public power available to everyone.

She retired from the PUD in 2006 when her husband became ill.

- Staff report