Fredrick "Pete" Klaseen

It is with much sorrow that we announce the passing of Fredrick “Pete” Klaseen, age 83, on March 15, 2026, at his home. He was born May 26, 1942, in Crawford, Colorado, to Wallace and Mary Klaseen. Pete worked on the family farm and attended Crawford High School, class of 1961. He then went to Mesa Junior College, Grand Junction, Colorado, for a year before returning to the family farm. On June 6, 1964, he married Sharron (White) Klaseen at his family home in Crawford. They were a great and loving team, working side-by-side for 61 years. 

Pete helped establish the Klaseen Dairy in 1967. In 1978, Pete and Sharron moved from Crawford to Redlands Mesa, Hotchkiss, where Pete continued to milk a small herd of cows and served as the Overland ditch manager. He sat on multiple boards, including Leurox Creek Water Users, Redlands Mesa Water Users, FSA board, and Producer’s Coop (Delta). In 1984, he and Sharron purchased the Manz dairy on Redlands Mesa, milking upwards of 180 cows for 29 years. He was an excellent husbandman and delighted in his cows and farm life. Attending church in Paonia, he gave his life to Jesus and found joy in worshipping and fellowship with others. He loved to go hunting, fishing, picnicking with his family, spending time in the mountains, and traveling the United States. 

Pete is survived by Sharron, his children Bryan (Pam Shaw) and Kelli (Mike Early); grandchildren Bryce (Brittany), Brendon (Kayla), and Brooke Klaseen; great-grandchildren Sage, Halston, Georgia, Quinn, and Makenna Klaseen; sisters Becky Hammond and Jane (Neal Lozins). He is preceded in death by Wallace and Mary Klaseen, his brother Butch Klaseen, a grandchild and great-grandchild. Pete’s passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts. He had a great passion for life, never complained, even in his end days, never met a stranger and had a great BIG laugh that will be surely missed. 

A celebration of Pete’s life will be held March 21 at 11 a.m., at the True Life Church, Cedaredge, Colorado. Interment at Hotchkiss Riverside Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.