Clarence I Classen

Clarence was born on June 9, 1947 in Meade, Kansas to parents Peter L. and Katherine K. Classen (nee Isaac). He received a B.A. in both Mathematics and Physics, and Masters degrees in Education and Physics.

Clarence spent three years teaching physics, chemistry, and mathematics at Githumu Secondary School in Kenya, East Africa, both in O Level (equivalent to US high school) and A Level (equivalent to junior college). After returning to the United States, he taught physics, chemistry, and calculus at Notre Dame de Sion in Kansas City, Missouri.

He met Debbie Alexander while singing in the Hillcrest Covenant Church choir. They married in March of 1980, and had two children, James and Jeff. Family and Church were a major priority for him. He raised his sons in the church and taught them to love the Lord. They enjoyed playing games at home and every night had dinner together.

Clarence worked for Victor Technology from 1980 to 1984, at which point he left to form his own company, Software Services. He ran Software Services until its acquisition by The Morrison Group in 1996. The business went through further acquisitions, but he continued working with the same clients he had cultivated relationships with for decades, even through 2025.

The son of a Mennonite farmer who instilled in Clarence a love of God, he attended churches throughout life, and was involved in every one. Since 1996, he and his family have attended Shawnee Bible Church in Shawnee, Kansas. He was a church elder, Sunday School teacher, AWANA leader, and sang in choirs, quartets, and special music often, even preaching on a couple of occasions.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents Peter L. and Katherine K. Classen (née Isaac); his siblings Henry R.C., Edward R.C., Peter R.C., Agnes R.C. Schertz, Elizabeth R.C. Loewen, Levi I., Jake I., Linda I. Goossen, Harold I.; a granddaughter; and others. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Mae Classen (née Alexander); sons James Michael and Jeffery David; Dora I. Ehmann, Alvera I. Theissen, and Evelyn I. Fisher; four granddaughters; and many others.