Virtus J. Clasen

Virtus J. Clasen, 92, of Bellevue, died peacefully in his home on Friday, December 29, 2023.  Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bellevue. Visitation will be 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Hachmann-Mier Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue, additional visitation will be 9:30 am – 10:30 am Friday, prior to Mass at the funeral home.  As a veteran of the Korean War, burial with military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post #273 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Bellevue.

Virtus was born January 9, 1931 in Springbrook, Iowa, the son of Alvin and Emma (Weis) Clasen.  He graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in 1949. Virtus served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1952 to 1954.  He married Marilyn M. Sieverding on May 3, 1955 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, she passed on April 30, 2021.

Virtus served as City Administrator for Bellevue for many years and later worked for the City of Clinton retiring in 1991.  During his years in City Administration, Virtus served a term as President of the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association.He and Marilyn made many friends during their years attending the various conventions and meetings.

In retirement Dad enjoyed many summer mornings on the river fishing with family & longtime friends.  Winters brought travel to Florida and Arizona with Marilyn and daily card games.  Frying fish for a crowd of hungry grandchildren was a joy. While gardening was not a competition for Dad, a few in the family thought he had better dirt and that is why he seemed to “win” every year.   A man of few words, he taught his family through acts of kindness, volunteerism and seeing the best in everyone.  He faithfully served as the Financial Secretary of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years. He volunteered with the Bellevue Bread Basket for over 30 years.  An active member of the American Legion he took great pride in his military service and lived the Marine Corp motto of “semper fidelis”.

Survivors include his children:  Steven (Sheila) Clasen, Sue (Jerry) O’Brien, Bruce (Carrie) Clasen and Jayne (Tony) Schroeder; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren on the way.  Siblings, Mary Ellen Kirk, Merlin (Marilyn) Clasen, Pauline Wagener, and Lela Roiger.  Sisters and brothers in-law, Alice Kilburg, Cletus (Ham) Sieverding, Dave (Norma) Sieverding, Glen (Shirley) Sieverding, Dan (Mary) Sieverding, Mark (Sherri) Sieverding, Donna Sieverding, Darlene Sieverding and Darla Sieverding.

Virtus was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Alvin (Mary Ann) Clasen, and Bernadine (Arthur Goldsmith and Edward)Nefzger; sisters and brothers in-law, James Kirk, LeRoy Wagener, Dennis Hines, Cliff Roiger, Karen Sieverding(infancy), Tom Sieverding, Don Sieverding, Lorin “Butch” Sieverding, Phyllis Sieverding, Lorin Kilburg and Betty Sieverding.

Virtus & Marilyn enjoyed the music of their day and many of their favorites became favorites of the family, The Old Lamplighter, Big Bad John, Que Sera, Sera and others. Together they enjoyed a strong faith relationship and a commitment to serving others.  

“Semper Fidelis” translates to “Always faithful”.  A most fitting tribute to a life well lived.

Thanks Saint Joseph