Mary Irene Clausen

Mary Irene Clausen, 87 years of age, of Beatrice, Neb., passed away at her home Friday, June 27, 2008. She was born on August 27, 1920, in London, England, to John and Nellie (Squires) Roberts.

She graduated from high school and worked for the Air Ministry in London. She also performed Civil Defense duties on the streets of London during the bombing in World War II. Mary sailed to America on the RMS Mauretania, which landed at Ellis Island on August 9, 1948, to help take care of her sister. At that time, immigrants entering America needed a local sponsor, and the Umphenour Grocery Store in Beatrice sponsored Mary. She and Mark W. Clausen were married on December 24, 1950, at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice. Mary had been employed for Dr. Ingham in Beatrice before becoming the co-owner, along with her husband, of the Beatrice Yellow Cab Office and Depot. They provided Yellow Cab, Trailways Bus and Western Union services for Beatrice from 1960-1994. Mary continued to be a proud citizen of England and a member of The Church Of England. Mary was an avid collector of antique furniture, glassware, cookbooks, coins and stamps, and loved her grandchildren, gardening, growing flowers, and socializing at the many auctions and garage sales that she attended.

Mary is survived by her husband, Mark W. Clausen; daughter, Cynthia J. Crisswell and husband Dale of Topeka, Kan.; son, John Clausen and wife Susan of Beatrice; grandchildren, Christina Brun and husband David of Topeka, and Joe, Jessica and Valerie Clausen, all of Beatrice; great- grandson, Dante Pabillore of Topeka; brother, Frank Roberts and wife Moira of Beatrice; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Nellie (Squires) Roberts; an infant twin sister; sister, Ivy Hill; and brother, John Roberts.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at the Centenary United Methodist Church, Sixth and Elk streets, Beatrice, with the Rev. Gil Karges officiating. Interment will be in the Evergreen Home Cemetery, Beatrice. The body will lie in state from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, Sixth and Washington streets, Beatrice, and at the church one hour preceding the services. A family prayer service will be held at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at the church. A memorial has been established to the Methodist Children’s Hospital in Omaha and the Nebraska Children’s Home with the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in charge. Messages of condolence may be sent to: rich@griffithshovendick.com. They will be sent to the family. The services are entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.

(Paid)