Alan R. Claussen
Alan R. Claussen, a longtime resident of the Columbia Basin, died early Sunday morning, April 5.
He died peacefully in his sleep at the McKay Clinic, Soap Lake, after an extended illness from Lewy Body Disease, a form of Parkinson’s disease, it is related and similar to Alzheimer’s disease.
Alan was a Washington native, born in Seattle and he graduated Broadway High School. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Also he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, 1943 to 1946. He was a member of the American Legion and a Life member of the Elks.
Al came to the Columbia Basin and Ephrata in the early 1950s. He established a successful distributor of soft drinks (Pepsi, 7-Up and associated drinks) for over 20 years traveling throughout the Basin. In 1966, acquired and expanded Bill’s Market in Moses Lake. Later he built a new grocery store in Moses Lake, on the former Larsen Air Base facility – Patton Park Grocery.
He was a Grant County PUD commissioner from 1964 to 1967 and signed many of original bonds for District damns, where he met and married Vera Beth Weidner Edinger Claussen, Aug. 20, 1966. She later became a PUD commissioner herself and served for many years. Vera preceded him in death January 2008.
He is survived by a sister and brother, Dean Claussen and Shirley Poggi, daughter and son, Kathy Chapman and Edward Edinger. He also has three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.
Al was well known sight around the Basin. He was known for his quick sense of humor and his willingness to reach out and help to so many people.
Funeral services will be held a Nichols Funeral Home, 157 C St. N.W., Ephrata, noon, Saturday. Internment is to follow the service. Donations can be made instead of flowers to the Columbia Basin Foundation, Vera Claussen Scholarship Fund, 234 First Ave. N.W., Ste B, Ephrata, WA 98823, 509-754-4596.
Family and friends may sign the guest book in honor of Mr. Claussen at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Nichols Funeral Home, Ephrata.