John Albin Klaseen
Page by Daryl Billings with contributions from Bob Leathers
Rufus D. Webster, Albin Klaseen and one of the Klaseen sisters at the Old Carbon Town Site. Memorial Day 1949. Rufust Webster, Albin Klaseen and one of the Klaseen sisters. Photo by Klaseen. (Photo from Daryl Billings. 2023)
On the back of the photo was written: Ruins of Carbon near Hanna, RD and Albin Klaseen and (name not legible). Albin Klaseen (right) and Rufus D. Webster (left) standing on old ruins on the old and defunct town of Carbon, Wyoming. Decoration Day 1949. Photo by Klaseen.
Note: If the picture was taken by Klaseen, it probably was taken by John's sister Anna or Edna Klaseen. The person next to John is probably the other sister.
On the back of the photo was written: Rufus D. Webster, and I at the ruins of Old Carbon, Wyo. Decoration Day Day 1949 after delivering the Decoration Day address in the Carbon Cemetery to several hundred people. Photo by Klaseen.
Rufus D. Webster at the Old Carbon Town Site. Memorial Day 1949. Photo by Klaseen. (Photo from Daryl Billings. 2023)
Life Story
1893 November 14: John Albin Klaseen was born to Sven John and Matilda (Nelson) Klaseen in Hanna, Wyoming.
1940: Albin was age 46, male, white, single, the son of Mathilda Klaseen, age 77, head of house. Albin was employed as a painter and living with his mother and sisters Anna Klaseen, age 39, and Edna Klaseen, age 36. Anna, born about 1901, was single and employed as a Pay Roll Clerk. Edna, born about 1904 was single and employed as a school teacher.
1942: John Albin Klaseen registered for the draft. He was living in Hanna, Wyoming, age 48, born in Hanna, Wyoming. He was employed by the Union Pacific Coal Company in Hanna, Wyoming. He was 5' 8", gray eyes, brown hair and 150 pounds. His next of kin was Miss Anna Klaseen.
1950: Albin Klaseen, age 56, born about 1894, single, employed as a Tipple Man working in the Union Pacific Coal Company's No. 4A mine was living in Hanna, Wyoming. Living with him was his sisters Anna Klassen and Edna Klaseen. Anna Klaseen, age 51, born about 1899, single, was employed as a Payroll Clerk at the Union Pacific Coal Company. Edna Klaseen, age 48, not married was a teacher by occupation. Their mother and father were both born in Sweden.
1955 June 17: John, age 61, married Bertha Mae Bruner in Wheatland, Wyoming.
1972 September 14: John Albin Klaseen, age 79, died in Wheatland, Wyoming and was buried in the Wheatland Cemetery.
1989 April 3: Mae Bertha (Bruner) Klaseen, born in Iowa, died in Weiser, Idaho and was buried in the Wheatland Cemetery with John Albin Klaseen.
Services for Mac Bruner Klaseen, 92, who died in Weiser, Idaho, April 3, 1989, were held Friday, April 7, 1989, at 2 p.m. in the United Methodist Church in Wheatland with Reverend Susan Denker officiating.
Born in Decatur County, Iowa, March 2, 1897, she was the daughter of Fred T. and Patience Elmira (John) Bruner. She grew up in Decatur and Plankinton, S.D. She moved with her family to Wheatland on Jan. 13, 1919.
She studic dressmaking and was a dressmaker for a short time. She worked the family farm with her family, then went to work for the Co-op store, working there for 10 ycars managing the dry goods section. She later worked for the United Store before assuming management of a dress store which she later purchased and turned into a combination dress shop and beauty shop.
She started the first school lunch program which she operated from her home.
She retired in 1955 to marry Albin Klaseen, who died in Scptember of 1972. She lived in Wheatland until moving to Weiser in 1983.
She was a member of the United Mcthodist Church and laught Sunday school, and was a leader in the Eperoth League. She was also a member of the Banner Rebekah Lodge No. 16 of Wheatland. She. enjoyed her family and friends, traveling, fishing and rock collecting.
Survivors include nephews John R. VanAuken of On-lario, Ore., and Robert D. Van Auken of Huntington, Ore., nieces Ruth James of Hermiston, Orc., Erma Mae Thomc of Milwaukie, Ore., Margaret Dallman of Johnson City.
Ore., Blanche Fisher of Stanfield, Ore., and 31 great nicces and nephews.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, brother George W. Bruner, sister Edna Bruner VanAuken and two nephews.
Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the United Mcthodist Church.
Burial was in the Wheatland Cemetery with John Thalken, Lec Johnson, Laurence Swallow, Sam Wright, John Labertew and John Jobe serving as pallbearers.
Platte Funeral Chapcl of Wheatland was in charge of arrangements (Wheatland Newspaper, April 3, 1989)
John Albin Klaseen and Mae D. Klaseen Buried in Wheatland, Wyoming
John Albin Klaseen
Mae D. Klaseen