GEORGE W. CLAUSON

Oct. 2, 1928 - Oct. 31, 2011
SOUTH BEND - George William Clausen was born October 2, 1928, and raised at 502 West Navarre in South Bend. He passed away on Monday, October 31, 2011, in his residence. His parents were Axel Werner Clauson and Hilma Elizabeth Clausen, both of whom are deceased. Both parents were immigrants from Sweden in their late teens. George had two older brothers, Jack (Edith) and Erick (Pat), both of whom preceded him in death.

George married Doris in South Bend, June 25, 1965. They had a daughter (Teri Ann Bradshaw) who passed away in June of 2007.

George leaves his wife, Doris; granddaughter, Terra (Barry) Yakim; great-granddaughter, Caitlyn Yakim; great-grandsons, Corey Kovatch, Zachary Yakim, Barry Yakim Jr., all of Dowagiac, Michigan; nephews, Steve (Connie) Clauson, Jim (Linda) Clauson; niece, Karen (Terry) Hunt; and four cousins, Dr. John Nyberg, Adele Nyberg-Kemp, David Westin (Tacoma, Washington) and David Clauson (Rochester, Indiana).

After graduation from Madison Elementary, George attended South Bend Central from 1945 to 1947 when he graduated. He participated in basketball, baseball and tennis (Captain 1947). His senior year he was the Kiwanis award winner in baseball. From September 1947 until September 1949 George worked at Studebaker's. He left there to accept a full scholarship in basketball to the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. While at South Carolina, George played on the basketball and tennis team (Captain 1953). He also pitched baseball for the freshman team, his only year in baseball.

He returned to South Bend in 1953. He entered Ball State at Muncie in December 1953 to complete his degree. When he received his degree in 1954 he accepted a teaching and coaching position at Bristol High School in Bristol, Indiana.

After one year, George was to accept a position later with the Oliver Corporation in South Bend in 1957. He was employed in Personnel and later in repair parts. When Oliver (later became known as White Farm Equipment) closed operations in South Bend, George accepted a transfer to operation with White-New Idea to March 1988. He remained there until September 1991 when operations there began to close down. George was a past member of the Elks in Goshen, Indiana, Lima, Ohio, and South Bend, Indiana. He was also a past member of the Moose in South Bend and Celina, Ohio. George enjoyed life and especially all of his pets. He loved music, dancing and sports. Doris and George loved to travel, especially to St. Joe, Michigan, and Chicago.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2011, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive. Friends may call from 1 until 3 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Nov. 3, 2011.

01/04/2023 EJS