Helen E. Claassen
Helen E. Claassen, 84, died
Saturday (Dec. 17, 2005) at Kidron Bethel Health Care in North Newton. She was
born Jan. 11, 1921, to Dr. George L. and Ada C. (Carl) Dodson in Muskogee,
Okla. They preceded her in death. She was first married to Clyde Askew from
Muskogee, Okla., who was killed in the South Pacific during World War II. She
married Walter C. Claassen May 11, 1946, in Milwaukee. He survives of the home.
She was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Newton.
She served the church as a
deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher, as well as on other various church
committees throughout the years. Helen was Newton's Woman of the Year in 1976
in the religion category.
Helen was a member of the
Mid-Kansas Symphony Board of Directors and the Newton Public Library Board, and
she was a volunteer driver for Newton's community play school program during
its formative years. She also was a member of the Newton Community Theatre and
Junior Reading Circle, and she was one of the founding members of the Women's
Community Fund administered by the Newton Healthcare Foundation.
Helen was a graduate of
Muskogee High School and the University of Oklahoma. She was a member of Pi
Beta Phi Sorority where she remained an active alumni member. Helen was an avid
bridge player and a member of three bridge clubs in Newton.
Other survivors include:
sons, Dr. Robert L. Claassen of Kansas City, Mo., and Cornelius W. Claassen of
Oakland, Calif.; daughters, Dr. Patricia A. Purvis of Wichita and Susan L.
Claassen of Hesston; a grandson, Mark and Tricia Purvis of Chicago; and a great-grandson,
Jack Purvis of Chicago.
She also was preceded in
death by: brothers, William Dodson, George Dodson and Donald Dodson; and
sisters, Louise Houchin and Virginia Miller.
Visitation will be from 3 to
9 p.m. today with family greeting friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Petersen
Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be 2
p.m. Tuesday at First United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. James W.
Anderson officiating.
There will be a private
family inurnment.
Memorials have been
established with First United Presbyterian Church, the Newton Art Association
and the Newton Public Library, all in care of the funeral home.
