Maurice L. "Maurie" Claassen, 91, died May 5, 2012 at Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas. He was born February 9, 1921 at Newton, Kansas, the son of Cornelius and Addie (Lander) Claassen. After meeting Ruth McIlrath at the University of Kansas, Maurie and Ruth were married on November 25, 1945 at Great Bend. She died July 14, 1982. A longtime Great Bend resident, Mr. Claassen worked in the insurance industry for McIlrath Insurance Agency and retired from Thurman-Morrison and Associates. He was a United States Army veteran, serving during World War II attaining the rank of captain. Maurie was a member of First Presbyterian Church, American Legion Argonne Post 180, and Rotary International, all of Great Bend. He was also involved in various other civic, community, and city organizations, including serving on the Great Bend City Council. Maurie was an avid K. U. Jayhawks fan, also enjoying R. V. travel, camping, and golf. Survivors include one daughter, Catherine Salcito and her husband Donald, Denver, Colorado; one daughter-in-law, Rosemary Claassen, Denver; one brother, Walter Claassen, Newton, Kansas; longtime close friend and companion, Geneva Wendler, Great Bend; and four grandchildren: Nicholas D. Claassen, Jordan C. Salcito, Kendyl R. Salcito, and Anne-Marie Salcito. Maurie was preceded in death by his son, Terry L. Claassen and one grandson, Benjamin, who died in a plane crash in October 1996. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Lander Claassen; and by one sister, Barbara Smucker. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Bryant Funeral Home. The Reverend Dr. Scott V. Solether will officiate. Entombment will be in Great Bend Cemetery Mausoleum with military honors by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. to service time, Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the D. A. V. or Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of the funeral home.