Douglas Arthur Clasen

Douglas Arthur Clasen passed away August 7, 2024 at 83 years of age. He was born December 1, 1940 in the small town of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. After graduating from Robinsdale High School, he entered the US Navy in 1959 and served as an Airplane Dispatch Clerk on the U.S.S. Lake Champlain aircraft carrier. He moved to Chicago, IL to attend Alexian Brothers School of Nursing where he earned the Pro Deo et Homine Award (for God and mankind), and was president of his class. It was there that he met his future wife, Jackie, where he told a friend after meeting her for the first time, “just you watch, I’m going to have breakfast with that woman for the rest of my life”. They celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage. They moved to Minnesota where he graduated from the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia. In 1966 they moved to Aurora to take a position as an anesthetist at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Nine years later they moved to Grand Avenue, where they have resided ever since. In later years he was the director of Share Rehab Center, entered the Real Estate Profession, and then took a variety of part time jobs during retirement. His favorite hobby was gardening. Before that took off, Doug was all-in on converting his backyard into the neighborhood baseball field. With patience and grace, he witnessed the kids excel at baseball, and managed to get through those years with only a handful of broken windows. He was also an avid golfer and taught his kids the game. However, in all his years of golfing with them, he never once let them win. In fact, even into his seventies with one ailing shoulder, he could still (easily) beat his oldest son. One year, he had the pleasure of hitting a hole-in-one and in that same summer, both his sons did the same which made that memory even sweeter for him. He was true animal lover, enjoyed bird watching, sang in the church choir, loved music, playing card games. One of his favorite memories was a lake house vacation in Wisconsin where he spent every day fishing with his grandchildren, enjoying family dinners, playing games at night, and listening to the loons in the early mornings. Oh yes, Doug’s family like so many wonderful families out there, experienced it’s share of countless moments of pure joy, mishaps, flooded tents, unsecured bike racks, and “sorry kids, that movie may have been a bit too scary for a 5 year old”. Doug took most pride in watching his grandchildren excel in the classroom or participating in their individual sporting events throughout the years. He was always checking in and asking for results if he was unable to attend any of their events. Doug was preceded in death by his parents Edith and Armin and his sister Sharon Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, three adult children, Nancy (Todd) Gillenwater, Daniel (Karen), John (Nancy), and grandchildren, Garrett, Gabriella, Hannah and Audrey, his sister Barbara Kopischke, and a nephew and six nieces whom he all adored. A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 10:00am until 1:00pm where there will be a memorial service starting at 12:30pm at The Daleiden Mortuary in Aurora, IL. Burial will be private.

Douglas Arthur Clasen

December 1, 1940 - August 7, 2024