Patricia Clausen

Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD. Burial will follow in the Graceland Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Pat wrote her own obituary.

Patricia Lou was born on October 25, 1941, to Herman and Zella (Bartlett) Larsen, in Colome, SD. She and her five sisters grew up in South Dakota on farms south of Colome by the Keya Paha River, north of Hamill, southwest of Carter, and northwest of Winner.

Pat attended Nelson Grade School in Todd County for eight years. In 1956, her family moved near Winner, SD where she finished high school, graduating in 1959. Pat attended Southern State Teacher’s College, graduated in 1962, and taught at one-room country schools in Gregory County for three years. Many years later in 1994, Pat resigned from her eight-year post as Title 1 tutor at the Burke Elementary School and set her sights on the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. In May 1997, Pat graduated with a bachelor of science degree and taught elementary school in Springview, NE, then Witten, SD. She retired in 2009.

On August 15, 1962, Patricia Lou married Glen Paul Clausen and from this union four children were born: Pamela Jean, Robley Paul, Lorinda Lou, and Brian Henry. Glen and Pat made their home in Burke, SD, for 38 years, working in the family business at Clausen Funeral Home and raising their children. In June 2001 they separated, and were divorced in August 2001.

Pat spent countless quality time with her four children – playing games, doing creative artwork, reading, singing, talking about Jesus, enjoying nature, helping with homework, and playing in the yard. Pat especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and greatgrands.

Pat was a champion for the underdog and dearly loved her elderly friends, helping them with rides to church, doctor appointments, and chatting over coffee.

She was an active member of the Union Baptist Church and served wherever needed. Pat loved children and teaching them about Jesus as well as encouraging young people in their faith; to that end she was especially passionate about two ministries: Camp Judson, serving as Camp Judson Scholarship Coordinator, and The Rock, supporting its outreach mission to the youth of our community.

Patricia Clausen, 79, of Burke, SD passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2021, at the Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Zella Larsen; sisters Beverly and Phyllis; in-laws Henry and Phillis Clausen; the father of her children, Glen Clausen; great-grandson, Archer Jones; brothers-in-law, Cameron Clausen, Guy Farley, and Delbert Paulson.

Patricia is survived by her daughter, Pamela (Jim) Klein of Gregory, SD; son, Robley (Cyrele) Clausen of Emporia, KS; daughter Lorinda Clausen of Minneapolis, MN; son Brian (Amy) Clausen of Sioux Falls, SD; granddaughter Tricia Jean (Klein) and Dylan Jones and their daughters, Jordan Lee, Wren Patricia, and Autumn Jean; granddaughter Jamie Lynn (Klein) and Rio Jones and their children Jayden Michael, Mckenzi Jo, Keaton Jay, and Cash Rio; granddaughter Coley Clausen and grandsons Tony and Steve Clausen; sisters Evelyn Farley, Sena (Dennis) Lauritsen, Mary (Jerry) Fisher; sister-in-law, Midge Clausen; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the Union Baptist Camp Judson Scholarship Fund or The Rock.