Funeral Services For Duane Klassen

Duane “Toot” J. Klassen, 78, of St. Edward, NE, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 3, 2017 at the St. Edward Catholic Church in St. Edward, NE with Msgr. Ralph Steffensmeier officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Edward Catholic Cemetery in St. Edward, NE with military rites conducted by American Legion Crosier Post #226 of St. Edward, NE and the American Legion Riders. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, at the church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home of St. Edward, NE is in charge of arrangements. 

Duane “Toot” John Klassen was born on October 17, 1938 at Bradish, NE, to Lawrence B. and Clara M. (Chavanu) Klassen. Growing up, Toot attended school at St. Edward Public Schools. On December 6, 1961, Toot was inducted into the United States Army. He served in transportation, being stationed in Mannheim, Germany, until being honorably discharged on November 4, 1963. 

On October 3, 1964, Toot married Diana Kay Crosier at the St. Edward Catholic Church. To this union a daughter, Kimberly Kay was born. Toot worked at several jobs including: working as a steel worker in Clear, Alaska putting up radar towers, as well as working at Lightner Lumber Company, J.W. Grain, and Behlen Manufacturing. The best job however, was working for Werner Service and Trucking of St. Edward where he drove a livestock truck for 47 years. He retired in 2003, but not fully until 2016, when he became unable to drive truck due to his health. 

Toot was a lifelong member of the St. Edward Catholic Church. He loved driving truck, going hunting, fishing, and spending time with family, friends and his grandchildren. Toot was a loving husband and wonderful father and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Toot is survived by his wife of 52 years: Diana; daughter: Kimberly (Paul); grandsons: Craig and Austin; great-granddaughter: Addysn Jade; great-grandson: Beckam; father-in-law: Robert Crosier of North Platte, NE; brother: Lawrence (Virginia) Klassen of Fullerton, NE; sisters and brothers-in-law: Delores Hodges of Phoenix, AZ; Pam (Dean) Miller of St. Edward, NE; Phyllis (Mick) Case of Phoenix, AZ; brothers-in-law: Larry Crosier and Kevin Crosier, both of North Platte, NE; sisters-in-law: Cathy Schumacher of North Platte, NE; Diane Klassen of Hastings, NE; Amy Klassen of Norfolk, NE; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law: Georgia Crosier; sister: Eileen Crawford; and brothers: Raymond Klassen and Eugene Klassen.