The funeral service for John S. Claussen of Maryland, formerly of Albert Lea, will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 23, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by Naval Reserve Center, Minneapolis, and Albert Lea Veteran s Organizations. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

John died peacefully at his home in Lexington Park, Md., on Sunday, April 18, 2004,

following a valiant and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Freeborn County on Nov. 8, 1962, to Darlene and Forrest Claussen. He attended elementary school in Albert Lea, and later graduated from high school in Enid, Okla., while living with uncle Dave and Bonita Felber. He entered the U.S. Navy in August of 1983, and took his boot training in Great Lakes. He was in Desert Storm and served aboard the Mine Sweeper U.S.S. Tripoli. After his return to Norfolk, Va.., he was reassigned to Patuxent River Naval Air Station at Lexington Park,

Md. Following a tour of duty there, he and his family did a three year tour in Sicily. He was again assigned to Patuxent River N.A.S.. at Lexington Park, Md.,

He was united in marriage to Cheryl Clelland. He began his battle with cancer in December of 2002.

John is survived by his wife Cheryl; daughter, Nicole Rae(18), Stevie Louise (10), and son John Steven II (5);, by his mother, Darlene Faber; father, Forrie Claussen and his wife Gretchen of Albert Lea ; a sister, Cherie Seuser and her husband Andy and their children: Christopher, Charlie, Morgan, Alex and Forrest, of Albert Lea, brother, Terry Claussen and his wife Audrey and their children: Sammy, Alexis, Danielle, Jackie, Brandon and Cole of Champlin, Minn., brother, Scott Claussen of Cottage Grove; mother-in-law, Mardell Jones and her husband Phil of Florida; Steve Anderson of West Virginia, Bob (Marcia) Anderson of West Virginia, Dianna (Henry) of Petechin, Md.., Brenda (Scott) of Nelson, Ill., and Paul Anderson; stepbrothers: Kevin (Rhonda) Miller, Bruce (Shawna) Miller, and Scott (Jackie) Miller; and stepsisters: Cheryl (Scott) Overland, Gina Miller, Carrie (Dan) Grove, and their families. John is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and military friends.

The family wishes to thank Dave and Jeanie Lout and Russ and Liz Rickerts of Lexington Park, Md., for being such special friends.

John – we love you and miss you. … You Are Our Hero!!