General Information
Full Name: Jimmie Raymond Clausen
Date of Birth: December 17, 1946
Date of Death: December 17, 2012
Jimmie’s life story
Jimmie R. Clausen
On Tuesday, December 17, 1946 in Thief River Falls, MN, Jimmie Raymond was born to parents, Lloyd and Arlene (Peterson) Clausen. The second of eight children, Jimmie grew up in Grygla, MN, on the family farm. Not liking the daily chores with the animals, Jimmie was an excellent handy man, even in his younger years. Always busy, he loved fixing fence, building tree and play houses for his younger siblings.
In 1964, Jimmie graduated from Goodridge High School in Goodridge, MN and attended a trade school for one year in carpentry. He started working for the Arctic Cat dealership in Thief River Falls, before enlisting in the military. Jimmie served three years in the United States Army, with two tours in Vietnam installing water purification systems. He was a member of the V.F.W.
Most of Jimmie’s career was spent in the concrete industry. In 1982, he started his own company, Clausen Construction. Jimmie was very proud of providing the cement needs to individuals and business. A talented craftsman, he even built a home for his family.
Marrying later on in life, Jimmie’s life was complete when he married Bonnie Johnson on March 19, 1976 in Bloomington, MN. They enjoyed spending winters in Arizona, where fond memories were created. In his early years, Jimmie enjoyed fishing and trolling on the lake at the cabin in Litchfield. In his spare time, Jimmie loved dropping money into slot machines, attending county fairs and archery in the backyard. One of his biggest passions in life was tractors. He was very knowledgeable about tractors of any era, Jimmie even restored a tractor he drove at the age of 5.
A sweet, kind and soft hearted man, Jimmie passed away unexpected on Monday, December 17, 2012, on his 66th birthday.
Deeply missed and forever loved by mother, Arlene Clausen of Grygla; step-children, Sherry Sorenson of Lindstrom, Lori (Fred) Schultz in Andover, Mark Lambert of St. Paul, Todd (Kelly) Lambert of Brooklyn Park; several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Harlan (Barb) Clausen of Bloomington, Danny (Jane) Clausen of Minneapolis, Karen (Rick) Boatman of Marshfield, MO, Bonnie (Roland) Paquin of Esko, MN, Susan (Rich) Cwikla of West Fargo, ND, Curtis Clausen of Big Lake, Joan (Darryl) Rice of Duluth; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Jim is preceded in death by wife, Bonita and his father, Lloyd. Curt Clausen will be Jim’s urn bearer.
A Celebration of Life Service will be on Friday, December 21 at 11:30 am, with visitation starting at 10:00 am, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. Pastor Ron Groschel will preside. Jim will be laid to rest at a private family service at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, with full military honors provided by the Prior Lake V.F.W. Volunteer Rifle Squad.
The Clausen family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Prior Lake Chapel.
Visitation
When: Friday, Dec. 21st, 10-11:30 am
Location: Ballard – Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Service Information
When: Friday, Dec. 21st,11:30 am
Location: Ballard – Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Interment Information
Location: Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Address: Minneapolis, MN
Friday, December 21st at 9:00 am
