Obituaries : Otto Claassen

Otto Claassen, 91, of Van Horne, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the Keystone Care Center, Keystone, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2025, at Salem United Methodist Church, Van Horne. Friends may visit with the family from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, at the church. Lunch will follow the service at the Van Horne Community Center with burial following at the Garrison Cemetery. Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Otto and his family.

Otto Eugene Claassen was born May 21, 1934, the son of Otto T. and Florence A. (Ellis) Claassen in Spencer, NE. He was the oldest of four children. He was married to Carrol Ann Brecht from May 1955 until they divorced in 1971. He was married to Pam Foss Notch from 1982 until she passed in 2016.

As a young boy, Otto was a member of Boy Scout Troop 45, Waubeek Area Council and traveled to Washington, DC with his troop. He attended and graduated from Newhall Public School. He excelled at basketball and baseball. In later years, he took up golf and cards.

Otto was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church, a charter member of the Newhall Lions Club, active in the Van Horne Lions Club, Trees Forever Van Horne chapter, Sons of the American Legion, and was a past board member of the Garrison Cemetery.

He bowled for several years, which allowed him to travel to local and national tournaments in places like Reno, Las Vegas, and Memphis. His high game was 289, his high series was 707, and he had a record of 706 at the Newhall Bowlium. He was a board member of the Cedar Rapids Bowling Association. He was currently serving as interim president for the Newhall Alumni Association.

He worked for Leo Boddicker as farm labor for several years before retiring to work for Skelgas and O'Grady Chemical. He enjoyed living in Newhall, Van Horne, and La Crosse, WI.

Otto was a loyal Green Bay Packer backer and Chicago Cubs fan, watching nearly every game they played on TV. He enjoyed bus trips to Cubs games with friends and family. He loved to travel, garden, cook for family and friends and play cards. He especially loved to play 31 and Golf for quarters. He was the luckiest person, winning just about anything he signed up for. His biscuits and gravy, turkey stuffing, and potato pancakes were famous and were loved by all, just like him. His recipes have been attempted by others, but have never been perfectly duplicated.

Otto is survived by his children; Ellen Becker (Bruce Cross) of Newhall; Bill (Jeanne) Claassen of Pleasant Hill; and Sally Meyne of Van Horne; stepchildren; Joe (Brenda) Notch of Blairstown; Brenda (Dave} Krahmer of Fairfax; and Jim (Carrie) Notch of Denison TX. Grandchildren: Doug Becker, Shallen (Jared) Nelson, Bradley Campbell, Mallory {TC} Daily, Alison (Chris) Mundt, Matt (Kelcy) Claassen, and Maddie Notch. Great-Grandchildren: Colin, Kenley and Brinley Campbell, Brielle and Calvin Daily, Harper and Hanley Mundt, Emme and Cora Claassen, and Raelyn and Presley Nelson. Brothers: Charles Claassen and Roger {Joy} Eubanks and sister, Walletta {Linda Schneider} Claassen. Sister-in-law, Nancy (Bernie) Jones; brother-in-law, Rick (Lynette) Foss; numerous nieces and nephews; and lots of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Pam; sister-in-law, Terri Claassen; and son-in-law, Joseph Meyne.

Otto (Papa) will be missed dearly by all. Christmas bingo will never be the same. His love for cooking and feeding everyone will be greatly missed, along with his passion for teasing people, especially children with his bird call and cow noises (which was a torture to his children).

Memorials can be directed to the family and will be distributed among his favorite charities.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.