Brooks - William "Billy" Klasen, 29, died Monday, July 5, 1999 near Oklee as a result of a single automobile accident.
Mass of Christian burial was held on Friday, July 9 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee with Father Gary LaMoine officiating. Barb Melby was the organist, and special music was provided by St. Francis Xavier Church Choir. Casketbearers were Fred Klasen, Danny Klasen, John Klasen, Henry Klasen, Jamey Gunderson and Jeff Kvasager. Honorary casketbearers were Billy's friends from work. Burial was in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Oklee. The Petterson Funeral Home of Oklee was in charge of the arrangements.
William Bernard "Billy" Klasen was born on March 4, 1970 in Fosston, the son of William and Annette (Asselin) Klasen. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and attended school at Oklee, graduating in 1988. In 1988, he began working as an operator for Northern Pipeline of Lakeville, and the job took him all over Minnesota and to the east coast.
Billy was a member of the Local 49ers Union and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting and farming.
Billy is survived by two children, Brandon and Alyssa Klasen of Louisville, TX; his mother, Annette (Don) LaCoursiere of rural Brooks; two sisters, Janet (Kurt) Halvorson of Trail and DeeAnn (fiance David Eskell) Klasen of Oklee; one nephew; two nieces; his grandmother, Madonna Asselin of South Milwaukee, WI; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, William on October 30, 1987; one brother, Steven Klasen on January 10, 1993; his paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather. A00003B1999JL14