Arthur Claus
December 21, 2011
Arthur (Art) Burdette Claus passed away on December 21, 2011, at Kavanagh House on 56th Street.
Art was born September 29, 1922, in Churdan, Iowa, to Harley and Marjorie (Perkins); he was predeceased by his older sister, Margaret.
Art too had a son and daughter, Larry of Des Moines and Linda (Luger) who with husband Allen and Art’s grandsons, Isaac and Noah, all live in Sacramento, California.
While on Naval leave in Boston, Art met Ferne Gagnon from Dixfield, Maine. They married 3 weeks later and they have been married for 68 years “til death do us part”.
Arthur, a radar man on the USS Buckley DE51 during WWII, received two presidential citations for his service, one for his unit and one as an individual for helping sink a German sub when the radar malfunctioned.
After his service, Arthur then received a BCS degree from Drake University where he met long time friend and neighbor Dwayne Wicker.
An accountant in the private sector, Arthur later joined the State of Iowa Comptrollers office. He retired in 1985 after 25 years. By then, he was the State of Iowa Budget Director and received a standing ovation from the state legislature when Governor Branstad announced Art’s retirement. An additional gift was a team autographed U of I football.
After retiring, Art enjoyed traveling to Navy reunions, visiting his grandsons in California, volunteering at the Blood Center, and his Thursday morning breakfasts with the “ROMEO” guys (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and Friday night dinners with lifelong friends.
Arthur loved sports. He was especially involved in youth baseball from the University Little League all the way up to being a founding board member of the Stan Musial League for adults.
Art most benefited from his baseball “career” with 4 lifelong friendships, Pat and Les Greaves and Larry and Betty Reynolds that lasted right up to his final day, almost 60 years of friendship.
From Art’s childhood days, he also loved the St. Louis Cardinals.
For over 50 years Art rarely missed an Iowa home football game since an uncle started taking him to Iowa games in the mid-fifties. Art purchased an RV to transport friends to those games, including the ’81 rose Bowl. He also traveled to 2 away games a year. The only Big Ten stadium he missed was Happy Valley (Penn State).
Arthur was a very kind and generous person best exemplified by being Santa Claus. In the 50’s and 60’s the family phone rang off the hook with requests for Santa, and he would answer every one.
In his Santa Claus suit and realistic looking beard, he was Santa hundreds of times for relatives, friends, neighbors, and many others, including the families of two governors.
The love of his life was Ferne, his wife of 68 years. He recently told Ferne he will see her again “up there”. Both have been members of Westminster Presbyterian church for over 60 years.
Arthur didn’t expect to live past 37, the age his father died from a severe head injury when Art was only 9.
His mother Marjorie died shortly before her 89th birthday, Art’s age when he died.
A Celebration of Art’s life and a reception to follow will take place at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4114 Allison, Des Moines, at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2011. A private military burial will be held at the Merle Hay Chapel Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Westminster Church or to the American Heart Association.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Thomas Dreyer
06/04/2012
Not a kinder and more humble man have I known. Always friendly, Art and Ferne were very special next door neighbors to my family. Like another set of grandparents to my daughter, Tiffany, they both were true friends. Art will be missed in this life, but we look forward to meeting him in heaven, to once again laugh and enjoy his company. May the love of Christ and the comfort of His Holy Spirit abide with you, Ferne and Larry, as you grieve through your loss. Months have passed, but memories really don't fade, do they. From personal tragedy, I've come to realize that we seperate from our loved ones, but we really don't lose them. God bless you, Fern and family. We will miss Art too. Sorry we couldn't be there for you.
betty gieseke
12/28/2011
Sorry to hear of Art's passing, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Ron German
12/27/2011
Larry and and the Claus Family,
I was sorry to hear of your father's passing. May God bless him and be with you during this time of remembrance.
James Anderson
12/26/2011
I met Art in the fall of 1976 when I went to work in the Comptrollers Office. He was the steady,unflapable source of knowledge, the go to guy. He taught me so much I would'nt know where to start. When he retired the Office lost a great deal of knowkedge and continuity. I also remember the joy he got out of dressing up as Santa a couple of times at Christmas. Smooth Sailing and God Bless!
Rose Taube
12/26/2011
Thoughts and prayers to you, Ferne, as well as to Art's children. I remember sharing time with you both at Thanksgiving time. Many good memories.
Rosie
Jon Ellerston
12/26/2011
I was so saddened to hear of Art's passing. I can only think of wonderful times with Art and the family every Thanksgiving in my youth. A man with so much caring and patience with a smile of encouragement at every turn. He always took an interest in what I was doing and was one of those people in my life that would always bring a smile of encouragement. What a life to be admired as a loving husband, father,friend to all, and dedicated public servant. My mother was his cousin, however he always will be Uncle Art to me. Love to all of you Auntie Fern,Larry, and Linda.
Shirley Daniels
12/26/2011
I'm sending my deepest sympathy to Ferne, Larry and the rest of the Claus family. Art was always a very kind, humble person with a great smile. I'll continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Gerry Klinkefus
12/25/2011
Ferne, Larry and Linda.
I am sorry for your loss. I am sorry I am not going to be able to be there for the service. I am out of state. I will keep you in my prayers and hope you find peace now that Art is not suffering any longer.
God Bless you.
Jim Chalstrom
12/25/2011
It was with great sadness that I read in the newspaper this morning of Art's passing. I had the privilege of working with Art for 16 years in the State Comptroller's Office. He was one of the finest men I have known. My wife and I send condolences to Ferne and the rest of the family.
Mary Greaves Burton
12/24/2011
To dear friends who are like family to me - I sincerely regret that I won't be able to be there for Art's Memorial service. So many memories of Art and the good times we had with the Claus family since I was 5 years old are flooding through my mind. I remember fondly the fun Clear Lake vacations, tailgating at the Iowa games, the "grown ups" poker nights, the bbq's together (especially the one where Grandma Claus loved the charcoal briquets that Dad served as hamburgers), Art playing Santa and we kids pretending to be elves when we answered the kids phone calls at Christmas, the Les Greaves Pre Memorial golf tournament banquets, and going to the '81 Rose Bowl in the Claus's RV and thinking we were never going to get over Flagstaff Mtn in the snow storm alive to name only a few. Art was like an uncle and I loved him and Ferne as my family - in fact, when I visited him in the rehab center in Sacramento with my son, Dave, last April he said - you're family to me - it made my heavy heart soar! I will terribly miss not seeing him when I return to Iowa from Colorado but know that I am a very fortunate person to have had him in my life for as long I did. Such a wonderful person he truly was! All my love to Ferne, Larry and Linda and know that I will be there with you in spirit!
Sara Dreyer
12/24/2011
To our dear friend and former neighbor. How blessed we have been to know Art (and Ferne). Art was the substitute grandfather for our daughter Tiffany during the late 80's and 90's. She loved Art so much and at the early age of 3 1/2 called his name without being able to pronounce her "R's" (Awwt). Of course Ferne was missing the "R" as well. I can still hear it. Thank you for being there for us with an encouraging word, your wonderful laugh and the love you provided Tiffany. We trust we shall all be reunited some day. Love, Sara