Carolyn Ruth Claassen

Carolyn entered into the presence of the Lord on Monday April 28, 2025 at 88 years of age. She is preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Richard Claassen, who passed in 1997, and by her husband of 14 years, Larry Nystrom, who passed in 2017. She is also preceded in death by her parents Wayne and Alma Beam, and brother, Wayne "Sonny" Beam.

Carolyn was born February 28, 1937 to Wayne and Alma Beam in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She moved to Bakersfield, California when she was in the 3rd grade. She learned to play the piano at young age, and became her church pianist at the age of 12. She always said, "If the church doors were open, I was there"!

She met Richard at the Hall of Records in Bakersfield, where she worked, and they married in 1959. After moving to Fresno in 1961, they settled at Peoples Church in 1965, where she continued to play piano and keyboards for the next 50 years. She and Richard worked together many years in the Title Insurance business, Carolyn as an escrow officer, which she retired from in 1983 to enjoy more time with her grandkids.

After a few years of retirement, she embarked on the new adventure, and Richard's dream, of owning his own business. They started Valet Closet and Garage Organizers together in 1986, which is still going strong. After Richard's unexpected passing, she continued to run the business and traveled with friends.

Soon after, she met Larry Nystrom and they married in 2003. She retired from Valet Organizers in 2004 and continued playing piano as much as possible, many times just at home, at Larry's request! She and Larry loved traveling to the Central Coast and hosting many get-togethers for family, friends & neighbors. She was always the "perfect hostess" and looked forward to hosting parties, having the kids over, and playing Tile Rummy, often late into the night!

Carolyn's love for the Lord, music, and piano was always evident in her life as she served the church and others with her talent, whenever she was asked. Two of her favorite songs to play (and sing) were, "The Blood Will Never Lose It's Power" and "He Loved Me". Her favorite scripture: John 14:6 - Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to Father except through Me".

Carolyn is survived by her son, Ken Claassen, daughter, Karen Bjaaland and son-in-law, Myron Bjaaland, her grandchildren; Nathan Bjaaland (Sabrina), Alyssa Brez (Chris), Ashley Bjaaland, and her great-grandchildren; Lilly, Hannah, Magnolia, Audrey, and Oliver. She is also survived by the family of Larry Nystrom; step-daughters, Kim (Rod), and Kelly (Steven), 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.