John Clauson

     John J. Clauson, 67, of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, March 15, 2026, at his home. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 21st, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Philip Agyei officiating. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. For those interested, scriptural service will be held 30 minutes prior. Friends may also greet family one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be held at a later date in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

     John Joseph Clauson was born February 7, 1959, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA, the son of John M. and Ruth Anne (Howes) Clauson. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church and graduated from Waukon High School in 1977. John attended Iowa State University and Upper Iowa University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in social services. John moved to Milwaukee, WI, to work for Grainger Industrial Supply, where he met Denise Pearson. John and Denise married in Wisconsin and started their beautiful family. They soon decided to leave the city to raise their family in Waukon.

     John started working at Great Plains in Waukon until he finished his schooling and then began working in the healthcare field as a CNA and direct support professional at TASC. He was working in Caledonia, MN, when he was forced into early retirement after a debilitating car accident near Dorchester, IA. John never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He loved spending time with family at the Waukon S&D, hanging with friends at Goodfellas, and teaching his grandkids how to play chess. John loved supporting his grandkids in every sports activity, cheering on his beloved Green Bay Packers, and backing the Iowa State Cyclones.

     John is survived by his three children: Emily (Cory Mooney) Clauson, Jacob Clauson, and Abbey (TJ) Criswell, all of Waukon; his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy: Jayden, Ezra, Sawyer, and Jett Criswell; his mom Ruth Anne Schulte of Waukon; his siblings and their children: Lori (James) Crow of Aberdeen, NC and niece Kaylee, Bill (Cheryl) Clauson of Dexter, IA, and nephews Mason and Aiden, and Jodi (Kirk) Patterson of Johnston, IA, and nieces Ellie, Ava and Daryl Ann, nephew Jared, and great-nephew Jaxon; brother-in-law Ron Regan of Des Moines, IA; and niece Angela and nephews Dane and Drew.

     He was preceded in death by his dad John M. Clauson; sister Mary Clauson-Regan; niece and goddaughter Amber Regan; step-father Lloyd Schulte; and grandparents Bill and Angela Howes and John E. and Melinda Clauson.

     John’s son Jake will serve as urnbearer. Honorary urnbearers are Jerry Baxter, Tom Phipps, John’s grandchildren, and John’s nieces and nephews.