Kenneth M. Claussen

Kenneth M. Claussen died Feb. 11 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, and 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 at 208 East Dogwood.

Kenny loved to fish and be outdoors. His favorite places were the head of Rock Lake, Rock Creek and Bonnie Lake. When his daughters where young, Sundays where 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, and most recently his daughter Leane Alene McCormick.

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; and first cousin, Tom (Sandra) Freeburg of Plummer, Idaho; 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 Brash of Yakima, Austynn and Caven Brash of Cheney and Case McBride of Ritzville; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

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

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