Anna Mae Clausen

Anna Mae (Marlette) Clausen

Born September 14, 1924 to Lawrence Marlette and Catherine Gruber Marlette. She was born on a farm four miles north of Redfield, South Dakota. She lived there with her family until she was four, when the family moved to Redfield.

She attended all 12 years of school in Redfield, graduating in 1942. Life was hard being raised during the Depression, sometimes called "The Dirty Thirty's." The family consisted of Mom & Dad, sister Delores, brother George, Anna Mae and six years later Mildred. They all worked together to make a living. At age ten, Anna Mae started babysit, which included doing dishes, bathing children and putting them to bed. About five hours time for 25 cents.

When Anna Mae was a JR. in High School, if you were on the honor roll, you could leave school to go to work. She got a job at the Coffee Shop from 3-10 7 days a week for 50 cents an hour. When Anna Mae was 14 she met Don Clausen who at that time played baseball with her brother, George.

New Year's Eve in 1941 Don took her home from a dance at the Legion Pavilion. They continued to date and were married March 10, 1943. They were married for 72 years.

To the union, three sons were born, Douglas Allen, Gary Lee and Duane Edwin, the favorite.

Anna Mae liked to keep busy. By her own admission, she was a good cook. She also liked to babysit, cut hair and put in permanents. She was the city treasurer of Ashton, SD (population 125) for 20 years, the recording steward for the Ashton Methodist Church, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and Bible School teacher. Anna Mae was a member of the United Methodist Church, a Life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Don, sons Doug and Gary, her parents, sisters Delores and Mildred, brother George, grandson and wife Adam and Shannon Clausen. She is survived by son Duane, 9 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter and many nieces, nephews and friends. She had a goal of living to be 100 but fell just short. Not to worry though because her family had a birthday party just before she went into hospice care. She was thrilled. She often referred to herself as a "tough old bird". 

She certainly was that. Rest in Peace Anne Mae.