Alvin "Al" Classen, 69, of Burlington, died at 2:25 am Thursday, December 13, 2012, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington, IL.
Born August 26, 1943, in Watseka, IL, he was the son of Frank and Anna Steindinger Classen, and was raised by his foster parents Robert and Myrtle Geertz . On June 18, 1966, he married Marjorie "Marge" Seiver in West Liberty, IA. Al graduated from Nichols High School in Nichols Iowa in 1961, and then from the University of Iowa with a degree in Pharmacy. He began his career in 1974 as a pharmacist with Mart Drug in Trenton, Missouri. He then went to work for OSCO Drug in Burlington, Union Prescription Center, St. Francis Continuous Care, and recently retired from Walgreens. He served in the U.S. National Guard for six years from 1964 to 1969. He was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church and the Isaac Walton League. He was active in Boy Scouts for many years and served as Scoutmaster. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting. Survivors include his wife, Marge; one daughter, Mary (Phil) Bisenius of Johnston, IA; three sons, Douglas (Lisa Monroe) Classen of Burlington, Chris Classen of Dallas City, IL, and Nathan R. (Dyneah) Classen of Keokuk; two grandsons, Travis and Bryce, one granddaughter Elsa; three brothers, Charles (Carolyn) Geertz of Nichols, IA, Chuck (Mary) Classen of Monticello, IA, and Joe (Donna) Geertz of Port Lucie, FL; two sisters, Vi (Chuck) Kemmerer of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Carolyn (John) Yeater of Muscatine; two girls that are very special to the family, Lori (Todd) Easterla of Muscatine, and Angie (Daryl) Wolf of West Liberty; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his foster parents, one brother, Marion Classen, and one sister, Wilma Classen. Visitation will be from 8:00 AM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Monday, December 17, 2012 at Thielen Funeral Home. The memorial service for Mr. Classen will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at Messiah Lutheran Church with Reverend Susanne E. Smith officiating. Prior to the memorial service private family burial will be held in Hamlet Cemetery in Illinois. Memorials have been established for the Great River Hospice House and the Messiah Lutheran Church.
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