Joseph Raymond Claseman, 94, passed away on January 26, 2024, at the Little Falls Care Center. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Iten Funeral Home with recitation of the Rosary at 4:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic School.

Joe was born on February 26, 1929.  He attended country school near the family farm and graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1946.

After graduating high school, Joe worked on the family farm.  He married Lila M. Spieker on February 11, 1950.  After leaving the family farm, Joe owned a Massey Harris (Massey Ferguson) dealership in Long Prairie for several years.  They purchased a farm 5 miles southwest of Browerville.  Joe and Lila raised 8 children during the 25 years they lived on the farm.  While farming, he also sold Northrup King Seed for 11 years.  Joe and Lila retired from the farm in 1983 and moved to Long Prairie, where they built a house and lived for 40 years. 

In his ‘retirement’ years, he taught the ’55 Alive’ Program.  He was a licensed real estate agent and appraiser but probably bought more homes than he sold, as he and mom liked to fix them up to be ‘rent-to-own’ or sold.  He served on the Todd County Board of Commissioners for 8 years and the Long Prairie City Council for 11 years.  He was a contract hauler of cars and equipment for Hillig and Midwest Implement and delivered flowers for the local florist. He enjoyed spreading the joy of flowers in the community.  He was an active member of the Long Prairie Lions Club and was a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus.

Joe loved his family. He was very proud of all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Joe loved to play cards, go fishing, visit with friends, and snack on popcorn, peanuts, and chips/salsa.  His wife, Lila, used to say, “He never gossiped while playing cards – that was serious business!”  He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Joseph (Joe) was preceded in death by his parents, Anton & Elizabeth; his wife of 73 years, Lila; sons: Charles and Raymond; brothers: Alvin, Francis, Alroy, and Wilfred; sisters: Genevieve Schrenk and Evelyn Carstensen.

Joe is survived by his children:  Lee (Doreen) Claseman, Mary (Tom Letsch) Claseman, Gloria (Gordon) Miller, Bryan (Barbara) Claseman, Dorothy (Robert) Briscoe, Deloris (Danny) Peyton, and Rose (Kenneth) Thunder, daughter-in-law, Donna Claseman; 22 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; brother Alois Clasemann and sister, Elizabeth Tinker; sisters-in-law Marie (William) Weiland and Roselyn (LaVerne) Stadtherr.