Kenneth M. Claussen

Kenneth M. Claussen

Kenneth M. Claussen passed away Feb.11, 2014 with his daughters Dawn Denise and KenniKay at his side. Due to failing health and needing more assistance, Kenny had been a resident at The Life Care Center of Ritzville for the past 21 months.

Kenny was born in Sanders, Idaho on Dec.11, 1935 to August and Janette Claussen. The family moved to the Thornton, Wash., area in 1940. On May 13, 1957 Kenny married the love of his life, Jean Irene Beedy of Rosalia. He then worked for various farmers in the area.

In 1974 Kenny started his demolition business of salvaging lumber. He provided his service to Garfield Warehouse, Rosalia Producers, Edwall and Cheney Grain Growers, Ritzville Warehouse along with this specialty service for privately owned cribbed elevators and flat houses in the area. In 1976 Kenny and Jean made Ritzville their home. They owned and operated "Jean's Upholstery" and "Ken's Rotor Rooter." Kenny loved to fish and be outdoors. His favorite places were the head of Rock Lake, Rock Creek and Bonnie Lake. When his daughters were young, Sundays were always spent fishing at the Hole in the Ground or Downs Lake with picnics. In his later years he also enjoyed hunting with his son-in-laws and grandsons for deer, pheasant and geese.

Kenny is preceded in death by his parents August and Janette Claussen, sibling babies Janet and Jim, brother Terry, his beloved wife Jean Irene (2/18/11), and most recently his daughter Leane Alene McCormick on (1/29/14).

Kenny is survived by his sister Romaine (Floyd) Stroud of Burbank; brothers Curt (Arydce) Claussen of Rosalia, Dan (Carolyn) Claussen of Ephrata, Robert T. (Bobby) Claussen of Oakesdale; first cousin, Tom (Sandra) Freeburg of Plummer; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; his daughters, Dawn Denise (Ricky) Brash of Spangle, KenniKay (Dale) Hartman of Cheney; his grandsons, Bryan (Karolyn) Brash of Spangle, Jerrod (Annette) Brash of Yakima, Shawn (Trisha) Brash of Cheney, Craig (Lindsey) Brash of Cheney, Travis (Katlyn) McBride of Ritzville, Anthony Hartman of Cheney; his great-grandchildren, Blake (Jerrod) Brash of Yakima, Austynn and Caven (Shawn) Brash of Cheney and Case (Travis) McBride of Ritzville.

The family sends heartfelt thanks to all of the staff at The Life Care Center of Ritzville.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and place honoring Kenny, Jean and Leane.