Obituaries : Pamela Kay \'Pam\' Claassen

Pam Claassen

VINTON – Pamela Kay “Pam” Claassen, 70, died Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids due to complications of liver disease (PBC).
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2016, at Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne with Rev. Rose Marie Calderon-Khan officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Interment will be in the Garrison Cemetery.
Pam was born October 21, 1945, at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of Aiden Ashley “Bud” and Marion Irene Merchant Foss. She was raised in Garrison and graduated from Garrison Consolidated Schools.
On October 16, 1982, Pam was united in marriage with Otto Claassen in Newhall, Iowa. The couple lived in Van Horne for many years, and Pam was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, where she participated in Cards of Peace; the Van Horne Legion Auxiliary, Garden Club and Lions Club, where she was Zone chairwoman. She was also active with Senior Dinners and Future Green.
Pam worked for McKesson Drug for 22 years.
Pam enjoyed traveling, shopping at CJ Banks, playing on her computer and watching TV. Above all else, she cherished time spent with family and friends.
Pam is survived by her husband of 33 years, Otto Claassen, of Vinton; three children: Joseph (Brenda) Notch of Blairstown; Brenda Anderson of Cedar Rapids; and James (Carrie) Notch of Montrose, MN; three step-children: Ellen Becker and William “Bill” (Jeanne) Claassen, both of Newhall; and Sally (Joe) Meyne of Urbana; one sister, Nancy (Bernie) Jones of Marshalltown; one brother, Rick (Lynette) Foss of La Porte City; two aunts: Jean Sides of La Porte City and Barbara Reinhardt of Chesapeake, VA; one uncle, Lee Foss of La Porte City; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial fund has been established.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton is caring for Pam and her family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.