Elsie Claassen

Elsie Claassen, 96, of Goshen, died at Greencroft Healthcare Sunday afternoon, September 4, 2011. She had been in declining health the past year. She was born in Gage County, Nebraska on August 20, 1915, to the late Fred and Minnie (Kechley) Linsenmeyer. She married Louis Claassen in Gage County on October 9, 1952. He passed away July 3, 1990. She is survived by a son, Mel (Lorna) Claassen; a grandson, Jeff (Mariko) Claassen; two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Hannah, all of Goshen; a brother, Kenneth Linsenmeyer; and three sisters, Marie Kitt, Helen Burger and Alma Spier. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Heidi Claassen June 20, 2003; two brothers, Ernest and Alfred Linsenmeyer; and a sister, Kathryn Claassen. Mrs. Claassen lived through the depression, learning many life skills. She graduated from Holmesville High School, and lived on a farm in Gage County for more than 30 years before moving to Beatrice in 1985. After her husband's death, she had the courage to move with her family to Goshen in 1993, where she established friendships in the community. She was involved in Ladies' Aid at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice; and volunteered in the gift shop at Beatrice Community Hospital. A caring and compassionate woman, she enjoyed flowers, crocheting and knitting and was known as a favorite babysitter to several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, September 6, 2011, at The Meetinghouse at Greencroft where a 7 p.m. funeral service will be conducted. Friends may also call 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, September 10, 2011 at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, Nebraska, where an 11 a.m. funeral service will be conducted. Burial will follow in First Mennonite Church Cemetery, Beatrice. Memorial contributions may be given to MCC for East Africa.