SPEARVILLE – Annette "Ann" Louise (Zurbuchen) Claussen passed away unexpectedly on July 8, 2021 in her home near Spearville, Kansas.

Ann was born to Paul and Alice Zurbuchen in Dodge City, Kansas on February 10, 1944. She grew up on a farm and had many adventures with her sister, Lynn, until they were surprised with their baby brother, John in 1956.

Ann grew up a mile as the crow flies from the Claussen's, and so a romance grew between Bill and Ann in the early 60's. They were married on July 14, 1962. They spent nearly 59 years together, running a farm and ranch and raising three children, Tonya, Doug, and Curt. Ann loved children and wanted a whole house full, so while only 3 children call her Mom, countless others regard her as a surrogate mother. She always had a smile and a hug for anyone who needed one. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, Gavin, Zach, Brooke, Luke, Will, Cash, Sammi, and Kola. While she worked a handful of jobs her favorite one was working at the Spearville Library because she got to be around so many children and share her joy of reading with them.

As a homemaker, a wife, and a mother, she was strong, capable, and tireless, always striving to make everything better. Ann will be remembered as an altruistic, selfless woman who always had a smile, even when times were tough.

Ann was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Spearville, Kansas. She remained active on the prayer chain and always looked forward to the weekly bulletin that John would bring her during the past year's pandemic that precluded attending church in person.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Alice Zurbuchen, and her sister Lynn Nelson. She is survived by her husband Bill Claussen; her brother, John Zurbuchen, Wright; her children Tonya Claussen Wyles and husband Jack, Buena Vista, Colorado, Doug Claussen and wife Rachel, DeSoto, Kansas and Curt Claussen, Kansas City, Kansas; and her grandchildren Gavin, Zach, Brooke, Luke, and Will Claussen, Cash Claussen, and Sammi and Kola Wyles.

Vigil Service will be at 7:00 pm Thursday, July 15, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Friday at the church with Fr. John Forkuoh presiding.  Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Spearville.  Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.

The family suggests memorials to the Spearville Library in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14 ^th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.