Claude Asp Obituary

To Uncle Claude's Dear Family,
Our hearts are saddened by the loss of the dear patriarch of your family. Uncle Claude always showed us a very gracious, generous and loving spirit everytime we got together and we will all miss him very much.
I have many fond memories of the years up in Floodwood and the gatherings we used to have. It was fun to hear the stories that were told when all his siblings would get together and swap tales by the hour.What a interesting, eventful and extended life he was blessed with. I marvel at how much a young man from Floodwood was able to accomplish during nearly a full century of life.
What a wonderful legacy and example he has left for you who follow in his footsteps. You can all be very proud to be members of the Claude Asp family.

To all of you,
I wish so badly that I would have been able to be there. I can't possibly express how much I love all of you. I will always remember what a special time it was to be together when we came out for your mom's funeral. I have so many wonderful memories of time spent together. Uncle Claude and Aunt Nyleen were so very special to me. Take care of each other! Love Robin.

Dear Ones,
We sorrow with you at Claude's death. But we celebrate with you a lifetime that has been a blessing to so many people. Uncle Claude was always one to whom we looked up. He was the first in the whole family constellation to make his way through academic achievement.

Beyond that, he was always one who counted family connections a precious gift to be nurtured. His amazing handwriting and his ability to write letters of signfiicance endured through all of the years since my childhood. He wrote to me when I was sick with polio in the 1940's. And he wrote at Christmas time this past winter.
He also was a willing advocate of new ways of doing things. His was the first 10HP outboard motor I'd ever experienced. He started the motor up, revved it to top speed, and began moving forward to the middle of the boat and soared around Prairie Lake as if he was in an airplane. I also remember how the first rotary blade lawn mower in Floodwood was put to the test in high weeds behind A&B Motors building on Hiway 2. That's probably 60 years ago or more, but it is as crisp in my memory as if it were yesterday.
Uncle Claude was always an inspirational person for me. And he often found ways to be encouraging and supportive for me in my life's journey.
I thank God for his faithfulness and his long life of blessing. Those gifts are a legacy that will endure in me and in my family, and I am certain for all of you.

May God bless all of you with the hope that is ours in Jesus' resurrection.

Love

To Uncle Claude's family,

We will truly miss Claude. We have many wonderful memories of Claude and Nyleen. They always kept their faith, family, and friends foremost in mind. Claude was always so good to write those long Christmas letters - and his handwriting didn't waver a bit over the years. None of those computerized form letters for him.

I remember so many times when we were all kids and you folks would come up to Floodwood or Duluth for summer vacation. And the times you took Jim and I along to Pugsley's cabin, to Pike Lake, and on and on. Those are some wonderful memories. We all remember the times we visited in Colorado Springs. We all especially enjoyed the summer we visited and Claude took us up to the cabin in the mountains, gave us a key, and just said, "Enjoy yourselves. Come and go as you please." That was a wonderful week.

I'll always remember their hospitality. I'm terribly sorry I can't come to the funeral. We are leaving for out of town on Friday morning and I couldn't seem to get anything that would get me out there and back yet Thursday night. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Claude had a long life and God truly blessed him here, but that is nothing compared to the reunion he is having in heaven now with Einar, Ruth, and Peggy. We all know he is in a better place now.

All our love,
Don, Sharon, Sarah, Alysa Asp

Dear Uncle Claude's Family,
My heart goes out to you and your loved ones. Uncle Claude was such a strong positive influence in my life. I remember stopping to see your dad and mom in Colorado Springs several times. Your dad and mom were always so gracious to us. Your mom with her Southern hospitality and Claude with his many stories and experiences to share with us. I dearly loved your dad and will miss his handwritten Christmas letters each year. He loved his brothers and sisters and kept in touch with them. Even as a niece, he always kept in touch. He has a wonderful legacy of love and caring beyond all the other wonderful accomplishments in his life. My mom, Ruth, always felt close to Claude. As they were growing up, he was her big brother and protector from harm.
He took that role seriously throughout his life. I wish so much that I could come to the funeral, Elliot and Amy, but I had surgery on Monday and so I can't travel right now. I had been thinking that I would come to Colorado Springs when Claude went home to be with those he loves. But, it just didn't work out for me this time. God bless you all. I will remember you and your
families in my thoughts and prayers. God is an awesome God! He will be with you and comfort you in your loss! Love, Carol Thorud and Family