H. Clasen

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 8, 2010

H. Jean Clasen, 79, of Austin died Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Comforcare Good Samaritan Center in Austin.
Jean was born Oct. 13, 1930, in Llangennech, Wales to Oliver and Gladys (Williams) Evans. She graduated from Girls Grammar School in Llanelli and completed her nurses training at the General and Eye Hospital in Swansea, Wales. She graduated from Midwifery School in North Middlesex, London in 1952. Upon Graduation, she returned to Swansea to work in the hospital. In September 1953, Jean came to the United States on the Queen Mary with her aunt and uncle, Helena and Father TJ Williams, former Rector of Christ Episcopal Church. She had planned to work for two years as a nurse before returning to Wales.
While living in Austin, Jean met Jim Clasen and they were united in marriage on June 25, 1955, at Christ Episcopal Church, Austin.
Jean practiced nursing at the Austin Clinic and at St. Olaf Hospital and became the Head Nurse of the Intensive Care Unit in 1970 until her retirement in 1985.
Upon retirement, Jean and Jim enjoyed traveling all over the world and she regularly returned to Wales to visit her family. They enjoyed summers entertaining their family and friends at their cabin in Crosslake, Minn. Jean was a faithful member of Christ Episcopal Church, Beta Sigma Phi, P.E.O. Chapter BZ, Floral Club, Cotillion Dance Club and the Austin Country Club. She enjoyed reading, doing the morning crossword puzzle, playing Solitaire, Mahjong, Bridge, Cribbage, fine dining and a good cup of tea.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and her parents.
Jean is survived by her children: Julie (Geri Estvanik) Clasen of Berwyn, Ill., Melanie Burke of Duluth, Minn., David (Leanne) Clasen of Austin; grandchildren, Jeffery (Karen) Clasen, Alexandra Clasen, Samuel Clasen, Seth Clasen, Isaac Clasen; give great-granddaughters; brother and sister-in-law, D. Gerwyn (Margaret) Evans of Pencoed, Wales; nephews, Cennard (Sarah) Evans of Blackwood, Wales, Arwel ( Sharon) Evans of Horsham, England; cousin, Maryan (Robert) Salmi of Aberdeen, S.D., and many cousins in Wales.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church with the Rev. Diana Rogers and the Rev. Lynn Adwell officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Wednesday from 1 to 1:45 p.m.
Organist will be Gretchen Zinsli and soloist will be Erin Schumacher.
Arrangements are by the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary.