Iola Mae Clausen

Iola Mae Clausen, age 99, of La Grande, died January 3, 2017 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center at 1:00 p.m. A viewing will precede the funeral from 10:00 until 12:00 Burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery.


Iola was born on June 7, 1917, the daughter of Ernest and Mary Ethyl (Haun) Henry in Thomas, New Mexico. She was one of four children, Alpha (deceased), Arel (Portland) and Glen (La Grande). At a young age the Henry family moved to Clarkston, Washington, where Iola went to grade school, and high school, graduating in 1935. In reading some of Iola's old diaries, she had a wonderful childhood, lots of fun and a good Christian upbringing. About 1938 the Henry family moved to Wallowa, Oregon and a short time later met the love of her life, Murrel. She married Murrel Clausen on September 24, 1939 in Lewiston, Idaho. They had 55 wonderful years together before Murrel passed away in 1994. They lived in Wallowa, Powataka, Oregon, Walla Walla and Dayton until the early 1970's. She lived at 1308 Willow in La Grande since the mid 1970's until her passing.


Iola worked in Dayton and Walla Walla, before she started working as a school cook in La Grande for 21 years. She retired from the school district in 1982. She was a wonderful wife, Mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend. She loved playing Bingo, Scrabble and any word games. Having her grandsons visit was always special to her. She liked going to the Senior Center, staying in touch with retired school co-workers and the past Presidents of the Eagles Auxiliary. She liked to spend time with all her family, fishing, and especially enjoyed a trip to Alaska.



Survivors include her children, Teddy Murrel Clausen and his wife Sandy of La Grande and Carol Amy Schaack and her husband, Don of White Salmon, Washington; grandchildren, Christopher Lee Clausen and his wife, Kelene of Carlsbad, California, Joseph Murrel Clausen and wife, Erin of Seattle, Washington, Lea Emerson and husband, Mark of La Grande, Brooke DeYoung and husband, Doug of La Grande, Deb Schaack and wife Jutta of Seattle, Washington, Lorie Waehner and husband Eric of Libertyville, Illinois and Kathy Schaack and Peter Rieck of Chicago, Illinois;; nine great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

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