Teresa L Claussen

Memorial Services for Teresa L. (Fitch) Claussen of Holdrege, Nebraska will be conducted from the United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Nebraska on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Virginia Fleharty officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Terry Claussen, age 62 passed away on Monday, April 25, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska after a lengthy illness. Terry was born December 23, 1948 in Holdrege, Nebraska the eldest of four children born to Donald Dillman and Patsy Yvonne (Flohr) Fitch. She attended school in Loomis graduating with the Loomis High School class of 1967. She then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she received her Bachelor's degree in Home Economics in 1971.

On September 18, 1971, she was united in marriage to Edward F. Claussen. The couple lived in Essex, Iowa for one year after they were married then lived in Minden, Nebraska for 15 years and then Greenwood, Arkansas from 1987 until January 2006 when they moved back to the farm where she was raised near Atlanta, Nebraska.

While in Minden, Terry worked for the Martin, Stirtz, Martin Law Firm and the First National Bank. She also owned and operated an antique shop. In Greenwood she worked at Walters Law Firm and was a Deputy Circuit Clerk. Back in Holdrege she worked at Health and Human Services office, the FSA office and General Glass.

Terry was an accomplished artist with paintings displayed in the Smithsonian. She was also a painting instructor in Nebraska and Arkansas. She was a talented quilter, seamstress, gardener, and avid antiquer where she couldn't pass up a cheap sewing machine or hankies. She loved decorating and dressing up for every holiday.

Terry was a member of the Prairie Quilt Guild, Belle Point Quilter's Guild and Mid-Nebraska Artists.

Terry was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents: Orlo and Helen Fitch and Elmer and Grayce Flohr.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Edward of Holdrege; two brothers: Gary and his wife, Ferrall Fitch of Grand Island, Nebraska, Mike Fitch and his wife, Terry of Holdrege; one sister, Mimi Linch and her husband, Mike of Bridgeport, Nebraska; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Claussen of Albert City, Iowa; brothers-in-law: Hilton Claussen of Washington, Nebraska, William F. Claussen and his wife, Deborah of Minden; sisters-in-law: Judy Doyle of Newell, Iowa, Mary Ann Kienast and her husband, Allen of Liberty, Missouri; 13 nephews; 8 nieces; and many other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation as the family is honoring her wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established and will be designated to the Nebraska Prairie Museum in Holdrege.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home of Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.