Funeral services for Edward H. Claassen, of Albert Lea, will be held at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow at St Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Traufler and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery. Military honors accorded by the Albert Lea Area Veterans Groups.

Mr. Claassen died Saturday evening, Aug. 25, 2007, at the Thorncrest Retirement Center in Albert Lea. He was 86 years of age.

Ed was born Jan. 6, 1921, in Leroy, the son of Carl and Tena Claassen. He attended public school in Leroy. Ed served his country in the U.S. Army through the Albert Lea National Guard in the European Theatre where he received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Awards.

Ed was united in marriage to Mary Owen at the St Theodore Parsonage on June 21, 1946. He was employed by the Albert Lea School district for over 30 years as a boiler engineer and following retirement he worked for many years at the Thorncrest Retirement Center.

Ed was a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, the American Legion, V.F.W. and the PERA. During his free time, Ed enjoyed refinishing antique furniture, woodworking, landscaping, especially trimming the trees and scrubs. He loved to be out in the public with his family and friends, going to the Twins games, bird watching and feeding or spending time with his special dog, Brindl.

Ed is survived by his wife Mary of Albert Lea; children Mark of Albert Lea and Marilyn of Albert Lea. There are three grandchildren: Jade, Alex and Courtney. Daughter in law, Mary Jo Lee of Albert Lea. Also surviving are two sisters: Donna Winkels of Austin and Jewel Ruud of Spring Valley, one sister and brother-in-law, Margie (Clarence) DeWitt of Evansville, Ind., numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rosa (Elmer) Holmen; brothers, Herman (Marcella) Claassen, Carl (Helen) Claassen; one sister-in-law, Jane Owen; and brothers-in-law; John Owen, Rodney Ruud and Ben Winkels.

Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery.