Obituary of Donald Francis Klaasen

Donald Francis Klaasen, aged 84, of Tucson, died May 1, 2015 at home surrounded by family. Born October 25, 1930 in Holland, MI, he was the son of the late John Lester Klaasen and the late Esther Marie (Stegenga) Klaasen. He was a graduate of Hope College and the University of Michigan. Married Constance Ann Ferguson on June 26, 1954. A resident of Holland, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Dearborn, Michigan; and Tucson, Arizona. He worked as a financial administrator at the University of Michigan and at Pima Community College. Upon his retirement from the University of Michigan in 1994, he and his wife moved to Tucson, where he was an active member of St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church. He loved sailing, gardening, and became a fine chef in his later years. Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Constance (Ferguson) Klaasen, and four children: Kathryn (Mark) Burchess, Cynthia (Dave) Powell, Hilarie (the late Peter) Gianas, Robert (Candice) Klaasen, and 13 grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Lester Klaasen II. Please join us for a celebration of Donald Francis Klaasen's life at 11 a.m. on Saturday May 9th at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church at 4400 N. Campbell Avenue in Tucson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to Casa de la Luz Hospice at 7740 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, in memory of Donald Francis Klaasen.