Gerald Claussen
 March 11, 1932 – January 13, 2018

Jerry married Dorothy Montgomery on June 26, 1955. Their family included a daughter, Cathy Sue Faulconer; two sons, Jeffrey Lynn and Rusty Lee Claussen. Jerry is preceded in death by his son Jeffrey Lynn; two brothers, Gail and Charles Claussen; his parents. Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 and one half years; Dorothy; daughter, Cathy Faulconer and husband Frank; son, Rusty Claussen and wife Susan; four grandchildren, Michelle Renee Eastwood and husband Andy; Sherry Lynne Bowmar and husband Kyle; Jordan Charles Claussen and wife Amber; and Samantha Lee and husband Andy; seven great grandchildren, Kylee, Kimmee and A.J. Eastwood; Christopher Lee, Juliana and Liliana Claussen; and Valyrie Freeman; sister in-law, Farabe Smith to whom Jerry was very close to and loved her dearly; and a host of close relatives and friends.

Jerry spent eight years with the United States Air Force attaining the rank of Tech Sergeant. He was proud of his military background and would always salute at the appropriate time. He was an aircraft mechanic on a KC-97. He worked for Dean Machinery Caterpillar for 33 years as a Field Service Representative. Whenever and wherever a machine broke down; Jerry would go and fix it.

In 1997, Jerry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and fought it valiantly. He attended exercise classes at the National Parkinson’s of the Heartland for the past several years twice a week.

Jerry and Dorothy were avid square dancers during their entire relationship. He has served as an officer in numerous clubs that he belonged to and served in the HOA organization. His current club is the Live Wires Square Dance Club of Belton. Jerry loved being a grandpa. He loved watching his granddaughters play softball. He often bragged about how he put 100 miles on his car to watch two separate softball games on the same day. He managed to watch the first and last pitch of both games in one afternoon.

Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 18 at Nall Avenue Baptist Church, 6701 Nall Ave, Prairie Village, KS; followed by funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Private interment will be at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Nall Avenue Baptist Church, The Parkinson’s Foundation, 8900 State Line Rd, Leawood, KS 66206 or Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145.

Jerry’s family would like to give their gratitude to the staff of Kansas City Hospice House. You made his last days much easier to bear because of your kindness and compassion towards Jerry. Your services are appreciated.