Arthur Claus

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

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