Ronald L. Clausen

Ronald Lee Clausen was born November 21, 1941 to Raymond and Grace Clausen in Holdrege, Nebraska. One sister, Marie, and one brother, Donald, welcomed him to his home in Ragan, Nebraska. During his early years he loved to go fishing with his grandfather, Clarence Graham. Another of his favorite things was playing high school basketball. He sang with a men's quartet and a mixed quartet as well as singing many solos for weddings and music contests throughout school. Ronnie, as he was known to everyone graduated high school in 1959 and went on to be assistant manager of the Jack & Jill grocery store in Holdrege for several years. He enlisted in the US Navy in December 1964. While serving his country in the Navy he spent time on the USS Shields in San Diego and also on the USS Schofield. He graduated from Sonar School in Key West, FL and later became the Sonar Instructor in Key West for many years. It was during this time that his daughter, Angela, was born to he and his wife, Barbara. SGT Clausen also had Top Secret clearance as part of a special Nuclear Weapons Handling Team. Upon completion of his military service he began his career as a Sonar Specialist for civil service with the US Government, based in Norfolk, VA. He worked on many different Navy ships around the world including Greece, Italy, Hawaii, and all along the east and west coastlines of the US. Ron's favorite story to tell, until his dying day, was of his high school sweetheart, Lavonne Walker. He told how they had gone together in high school and then hadn't seen each other for 43 years, during which time they both went their own ways, married and had families and then met again at their high school reunion in 2002. They started corresponding by e-mail, then by phone and soon he was flying to Colorado to bring her to his home in Virginia to be his wife. They had a wonderful eight years of retirement together. Enjoying the precious minutes they had lost out on, being seperated. Ron went to be with Jesus January 30, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Lavonne of Aurora; daughter, Angela & Brian Bonsal of Virginia; brother, Donald of California; stepchildren, Dan Webster, Peggy & Michael Lewis and Rebecca & Eric Hart of Colorado and Michelle Hall & family of Oklahoma; as well as scores of other relatives and friends. We take comfort in God's promise that because of Ron's belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of his life and Ron's living for Jesus that we will all meet again one day in Heaven to celebrate our gift of eternal life. Military Memorial Services will be conducted at the graveside in Fort Logan at 1:00 PM on Monday, February 8, 2010. A Memorial Service will be held for Ronald in Ragan, Nebraska the week-end of May 29, 2010. Further details will be available at a later date in the local newspaper.