Dorene Sue Claassen

Dorene Sue (Flaming) Claassen, 77, passed away on October 5, 2025, in Moses Lake, WA. She was born June 20, 1948, in Goessel, Kansas, the oldest child of Theodore B. and Frieda (Schmidt) Flaming. Dorene was raised on the family farm near Goessel. She graduated from Goessel High School in 1966. As a teen she was baptized and became a member of Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel. Dorene attended Bethel College, Kansas, earning an associate's degree. At Bethel she met the love of her life, Eugene (Gene) Claassen. Gene and Dorene married on December 23, 1968, in Goessel. They were married for 54 years until Gene’s death in 2023. Following college, Dorene and Gene served two years in Colombia, South America, through the Mennonite Church. They then settled on the family farm near Marlin, WA, and she joined Menno Mennonite Church. Dorene focused her life on the care and nurturing of others including her family and community as she volunteered in the Odessa School District, church Mission Society and the Mennonite Country Auction. As her sons grew older, Dorene joined the Little Caesars Pizza staff inside K-Mart upon its opening in 1992 and continued working there until K-Mart closed in 2003. She enjoyed caring for her teenage coworkers and other staff. Dorene lived her faith in God with her favorite verse, Matthew 17:20, about having faith the size of a mustard seed with nothing impossible in God’s love. She quietly “planted seeds” of love and caring to those around her. Although her final 15 years were limited by her Parkinson’s diagnosis, she continued to plant seeds of love through notes, small projects and fellowship in a local Parkinson’s organization as well as her church. Dorene is survived by her two sons and their families - Doug (Melissa) of Moses Lake, and Michael (Staci) of Marlin. She adored her four grandchildren - Andrew, Zachary, Leah and Benjamin. She is also survived by her two brothers: Clyde Flaming (Jane) of Wichita, Kansas, Dwight Flaming (Marilyn) of Hillsboro, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene (Gene) Claassen, her parents, Theodore B. and Frieda Flaming, and infant sister Dee Lane. An 11:00 AM memorial service will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Menno Mennonite Church, Ritzville, WA. Memorial gifts can be made to Menno Mennonite Church’s Memorial Fund, 1378 N Damon Rd, Ritzville, WA 99169, or Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), 3003 Benham Ave, Elkhart, IN 46517. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.