Joseph Emanuel Clauson

Mar 18, 1928 -

Apr 29, 2023

Joe has gone to his forever home and is now face to face with the Lord he's loved so very much since childhood in Orland, Calif. He also loved the life God gave him and those God gave him to love - most notably his wife of 68 years who survives him, Yvonne (Johnson) Clauson; three children and their spouses who will all dearly miss him, Sharon and Jim Kohring, Karl and Junanne Clauson and Kathleen and Dave Poulin; six grandchildren, all whom he knew well and loved deeply, Jerilynn Kohring, Brad Kohring, Joey Kohring, Kaben Clauson, Muriel Closs and Axel Poulin; an enduring, Christ-honoring legacy he passes to eight great-grandchildren, Jay, Ray, Sage, Ivy, Banjo, Hunter, Lily, Ella and surely more to come; and very special nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends survive him, as well.

Joe died peacefully at home in Anchorage, Alaska, at the age of 95. His zest for life, strength of character and joyous love of the Lord marked his many fruitful days. Joe was born in Orland on March 18, 1928, to Joseph E. Clauson Sr. and Florence (Carlson) Clauson. He was one of six children, having three older brothers, Donald, Dewey and Clifford, and two younger sisters, Helen and Laurie. His family eventually settled in Berkley, Calif. Joe met his wife, Yvonne, in Glendale, Calif., at a New Year's Eve watch-night service, followed by a New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena. By that time, Joe had completed studies at The Bible Institute and Seminary of Evangelical Free Church of Chicago, 1949; Chico State College, 1953; and Fuller Theological Seminary of Pasadena, 1954. He began his teaching career in Southern California, married Yvonne in 1954, and in 1958, relocated to Tenakee Springs, Alaska, with Yvonne and their first child to be the sole teacher in a one-room K-8 schoolhouse. From Tenakee the family moved to Homer, Alaska, where their second child was born and from Homer to Anchorage, where their third child was born. In 1975, the family moved to Wasilla, Alaska, where he built his second family home on Lake Lucille. Along the way, Joe obtained a Master of Education at UAF in 1968, and a Doctorate of Education at Arizona State University in 1973, which took the family to Arizona in 1971-1972. Joe retired from the Anchorage School District in 1984, after being a teacher at Rabbit Creek Elementary and then being a Principal at Willow Crest Elementary, Tudor Elementary, Government Hill Elementary, Baxter Elementary and Chugiak Elementary schools. After ASD retirement, he took a position as the Director of Student Teaching at UAA. He was incredibly hardworking and self sufficient as he worked his way through colleges, and then supported his family of five. Joe served on many boards, including the Anchorage Rescue Mission and the Alaska Bible College in Glennallen, Alaska. Joe and Yvonne were incredibly generous with their time, talents and finances as they often sacrificed holidays and modern conveniences in order to serve and offer hospitality to others. Throughout their marriage, Joe and Yvonne were involved in a number of local church ministries, serving in various leadership roles and then planting Wasilla Bible Church with two other families in the Mat-Su Valley. Summer in Alaska brought school work breaks, at which time Joe worked at Alaska Van and Storage, built two family homes, tried a little commercial fishing, repped for a pre-fab building company and eventually enjoyed the many visitors they had at their bed and breakfast on the lake. Joe kept a dog team his son had built and thrilled his guests with rides on wooded trails. Later, Joe was honored to serve as a Chaplain with the Alaska State Troopers and eventually spent post-retirement time with his family, cherishing the time he had to be a full-time grandpa.

Joe will be remembered most for his love for Jesus, his love for his family and for the joy he brought to others he met.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 1 p.m., at Sand Lake Baptist Church in Anchorage. Any memorial donations may be made to the ministry of Sand Lake Baptist Church, 7434 Jewel Lake Road, Anchorage, AK 99502.