Obituary of Charles "Chuck" W. Classen

MONTICELLO, IOWA Charles “Chuck” Wayne Classen, 76, of Monticello, Iowa died Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Jones Regional Medical Center, Anamosa, Iowa. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m.to 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 20, 2017 at Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello, Iowa. Visitation will continue at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday February 21, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, Monticello, Iowa with burial in Oakwood cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Wade Reedy. Chuck was born on January 21, 1941, the son of Frank and Anna (Steidinger) Classen. He married Mary Lou Greenwood on May 21, 1966 in Monticello, Iowa. Chuck graduated from Monticello High School in 1959. He attended Wartburg College where took classes in general studies. Chuck entered served in to the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Colorado, France and Korea as a Field Radio Operator. Chuck was a man that would do anything he could to serve his fellow man and in doing so he took on many roles and wore many hats throughout his lifetime including member of the JayCee’s, the Lions Club, EMT and Volunteer for Monticello Ambulance Service. Along with Chuck’s service to our country he was also a member of the AmVets, a Lifetime member of the VFW, as well as a VFW Commander from 1984-1986. Chuck was an active member of Wayne Zion Lutheran Church and a past church council member of St. Mathew’s Lutheran Church. Chuck was very proud of his lifelong commitment as a blood donor to the American Heart Association. Chuck was a man that could do just about any job that was set forth in front of him including: managing the Monticello Car Wash for over 40 Years, concrete truck driver and carpenter for Shomont Lumber a truck driver for Adam’s Livestock, a painter and Maint. Asst. at the Monticello Senior Home. Chuck was a retired Correctional Officer from Anamosa State Reformatory after 27 years of service, and owned and operated Chuck’s Lawn Service for over 20 years. Survivors include his wife, Mary (Greenwood) Classen, 2 sons: Shane and Cheryl (Kelchen) Classen, Bret and Karrie (Wenndt) Classen, Siblings: Viola (Chuck) Kemmerer, John (Marilyn) Heiken, Ardis (Don) Hagen, Treva Quick. Grandchildren Danielle (Stephen) Gainey, Colleen (Devan) Janz, Nicholas Klein, Jason (Katie) Klein. Great-Grandchildren Madison Klein. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Anna (Steidinger) Classen, Foster Parents Ben and Martha Heiken, sister Wilma Classen, and 2 brothers Marion and Alvin Classen. The family of Charles Wayne Classen requests that donations be made in his name to the Monticello Ambulance Service or the Jones Regional Hospital in Anamosa in thanks for their valiant efforts to revive him. Information available and condolences accepted at www.kramerfuneral.com.