John Claeys

John Claeys, age 88, of Minneota, MN passed away on Thursday, April 04, 2013 at the Marshall – Avera Medical Center in Marshall. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 19, 2013 at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the Minneota Honor Guard. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association of Echo and Wabasso are handling the arrangements for the family. John Claeys was born on September 23, 1924 to Alfons and Anna (Van Schriek) Claeys in Taunton, Minnesota, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. In 1948, John enlisted into the United States Air Force and served his country until his honorable discharge in 1950. On April 8, 1950, John was united in marriage to Arlene Enga in Marshall, Minnesota. They made their home in Minneota, where they remained his whole life. John was a carpenter and loved to work with wood. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota and was a member of the Minneota American Legion. John loved wood working, carving, cooking, caring for plants, feeding the birds, and spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed. On April 4, 2013, John passed away at the Marshall – Avera Medical Center in Marshall, Minnesota surrounded by his family at the age of 88 years old. John is survived by his wife, Arlene Claeys of Minneota; children, Mark (Laura) Claeys of Salt Lake City, UT, Molly Zobrist of Canby, Jennifer Katz of Minneota, Susan (Rusty) Restoff of Glouchester, VA, Kevin Claeys of Arlington, SD, Nancy (Butch Warnke) Claeys of Wood Lake, Melanie Haggard of Wood Lake, Marna (Mark) Lipinski of Marshall, and Kristin (Jabran) Mustafa of Willmar; 23 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents, sister Lillian Swedzinski, brothers, Theodore and Louis Claeys, daughter, Shari Claeys, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren preceded him in death.