Obituary of Irene Clausen

In celebration of the life of Irene Ann Clausen (11/3/1940-4/10/2010), age 69, Vancouver, WA Irene Clausen passed from this life peacefully in her sleep at Cascade Park during the night on April 10, 2010. Irene was born in Springfield, MA to Thaddeus and Sadie Dybas and grew up in Chicopee, MA with her sister, Jane, and brother, Thaddeus. When her parents passed at any early age, her sister Jane and brother-in-law Richard lovingly stepped in to care for her. At the age of eighteen, she joined the United States Marine Corps. Irene served her country proudly and loved being a woman Marine, for it was in the Marine Corps where she met her husband, Dan (since remarried, wife Sylvia), and her wonderful friend for life, Delores Crutcher. Irene was proud to be a guidon carrier and carried her unit flag when marching in parades. It is an honor and is considered the rallying point for troops to fall into formation when the order is given. In drill and in ceremonies, the guidon and commander are always in front of the formation. And this piece of information is important, because Irene once again became the guidon carrier of sorts at Cascade Park later in her life, serving as Resident Council President and leading the charge to raise funds for their transport van and other worthwhile causes. Her life at Cascade Park marked a new chapter for a woman who had previously been bed-bound for over 10 years. Following her decision to become a double amputee above the knee, Irene obtained one heck of an electric wheelchair, dubbed "The Hummer", and her new-found mobility and the van she helped raise money for took her places she hadn't been in years. She especially enjoyed the group outings to Boppin Bo's, the Clark County Fair, and the dog shows at the Portland Expo Center. Irene was gregarious and outgoing, despite her physical ordeals, and never met a stranger. She liked to have fun and many people who saw her frequently know that. Irene was the one dressed like a peg-legged pirate or The Great Pumpkin at Halloween. Her room was always seasonally decorated and her roommate, Patsy, gamely played along as they were jokingly referred to as "Thelma and Louise Part II" for their constant "threats" of sneaking out the window to go to the Eagles Club. Besides being a good-natured practical jokester, Irene was a rabid sports fan and seldom missed a televised football game (New England Patriots) or baseball game (Boston Red Sox). She loved both major league and college games (Oklahoma Sooners). One of her favorite pastimes was quizzing friends and staff at Cascade Park with sports trivia. If you were putting together a fantasy team and were unsure who to pick, she was sure to have sage advice. Having been a Marine, Irene was also very patriotic and supported our men and women serving our country. She proudly watched in May 1989 as her son, Michael, was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps from the Navy ROTC program at the University of Oklahoma. Irene's life adventures took her many places and she touched many lives with her character and wit. From her days at Chicopee High School and her passion for playing softball and basketball, running track and being voted "Best Woman Athlete" her senior year; a visit to the United Nations; Marine Corps training at Parris Island, SC; being stationed on Honolulu, HI where her daughter and son were born; to California and Washington, back to California, then on to Oklahoma and finally, back to Washington in November 2000. She leaves behind many friends in all places. Irene was the beloved mother of two children, daughter Michele Goosen (John) Vancouver, WA and son, Lt Col Michael Clausen (Tamee), Encinitas, CA. In a recent written reflection on her life, Irene said, "The support of all my family has enriched and blessed my life so very much. The strength of my children and family has helped me get through many things. We all got together and just said - this is the way it is and we'll just deal with it. My gratitude goes beyond words." The family wishes to express their gratitude to the loving Cascade Park staff and extended family, with special thanks to: Amy, Anna, Shannon, Terri, Jason, Patsy, Julie, Sylvia, Jessica, Sammy, Frank, Michelle, Sam, and Katherine. Thank you to Brown's Funeral Home in Camas, WA for their care and compassion with arrangement of services. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Sadie and Thaddeus Dybas. She is survived by her children, Michele Goosen and son-in-law, John; Michael Clausen and daughter-in-law, Tamee; grandchildren Matthew Goosen, Kimberly Clausen (who is christened with Irene as her middle name), and Grace Clausen; sister Jane Janulewicz and brother-in-law, Richard; brother Thaddeus Dybas and sister-in-law, Jeannine; and her nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends. In accordance with Irene's wishes, she will be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at Cascade Park Care Center on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Internment ceremony will be held at Willamette National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2010. If you wish to honor her with a donation, please consider the Wounded Warrior Project or the Arthritis Foundation. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements.