Kathryn Elaine Clausen

Kathryn Elaine (Poort) Clausen, 63, entered into eternal rest in Mesa, AZ on February 9, 2013, with family at her side. Kathy called Mesa her home since 2000, along with her husband Merle and son Shawn.

Kathy, the oldest of three children of Joann Jeanette (VanRenan) and Robert Howard Poort, was born on May 29, 1949. Spending most of her youth in Malvern, Iowa, Kathy attended Malvern Community School from Chantry Elementary to high school graduation with the Class of 1967 and also attended Iowa Western Community College.

Kathy and Merle were married on April 11, 1987 in Malvern, Iowa and lived in Mineola, Iowa until they moved to Mesa, AZ.

Kathy's future years were full with family, teaching the deaf-blind at Glenwood, Iowa State School (expertise in recreational rehab, highlighted by teaching clients to swim), bookkeeping for the family farm equipment business near Treynor, and teacher-aiding at an elementary school in Mesa. She loved her flowers, pets, and crafts of all types. Kathy was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Kathy was preceded in death by grandparents, Ruth Rose (Hill) and Eldon Leland VanRenan, Ada Blanche (Woodland) and Allen Nicholas Poort; father Robert "Bob" Poort; and brother-in-law Larry Clausen.

Kathy is survived by beloved husband Merle; children, Mark Crisler of Phoenix, AZ, Daniel Crisler of Austin, TX, Kimberly Crisler of Phoenix, AZ, Dustin Crisler of Savannah, GA, and Shawn Clausen of Mesa; mother Joann Poort; brother Roger (Mary) Poort, all of Malvern, IA; sister Lisa (Steve) Dolezal of Franklin, TN; grandchildren, Joshua and Cason Crisler of Arizona; sisters-in-law, Janice (Jim) Harrill, and Kathy (Mark) Wangberg, all of Treynor, IA; nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family and friends.

Memorials directed to the family.

Inurnment at the Malvern Cemetery.

Loess Hills Funeral Home of Malvern in charge of local arrangements.