Eugene Clinton Claassen
Gene Claaassen leaves behind a loving family and a community that will miss him greatly. He loved his wife, his family, farming and the congregation he was part of for many years.
Eugene “Gene” Clinton Claassen, 77, passed away Oct. 30, 2023, at his home in Marlin, Wash. He was born May 2, 1946, in Omak, Wash., the second child of Clinton and Evelyn Claassen.
Raised on the family farm in Marlin, Wash., he chose farming as his life-long vocation, actively farming until his final days. Both sons joined the family farm and worked by his side. All four grandchildren work on the farm in the summer, where Grandpa taught them to drive grain carts and combine as well as hoe weeds. He was proud to work harvest with all the grandchildren along with his sons.
Gene began his education at Marlin Elementary School and graduated from Odessa High School in 1964. As a teenager, he was baptized and became a member of Menno Mennonite Church where he remained an active member. He attended Whitworth University, then Bethel College, earning a BA in Industrial Arts in 1969. In Kansas, at Bethel College, he met the love of his life, Dorene Flaming. Shortly before his graduation from Bethel, Gene and Dorene were married Dec. 23, 1968, in Goessel, Kan.
Gene was known for service throughout his life. Following college, he and Dorene served two years in Colombia, South America, through the Mennonite Church. He then served the land by farming in WA. Community service included the Odessa School Board, deacon at Menno Church, Samaritan Hospital Board, Odessa Trading Company Board and volunteer firefighter. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he traveled numerous times with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) to show Christ’s love through clean-up and rebuilding. He became a regional leader of MDS and organized service projects in the Pacific Northwest. In his final years, he served as a caregiver for Dorene, his wife of 54 years.
Gene is survived by his wife Dorene; two sons and their families — Doug (Melissa) of Moses Lake and Michael (Staci) of Marlin. He cherished his four grandchildren — Andrew, Zachary, Leah and Benjamin. He is survived by his three siblings: Sharon Meyer (Stan) of Moses Lake, Cleon Claassen (Elizabeth) of Moses Lake and Patrice Claassen of North Newton, Kan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton and Evelyn Claassen.
An 11 a.m. memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Menno Mennonite Church, rural Ritzville, Wash. Memorial gifts can be made to Mennonite Disaster Service.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family to www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.