Jen Clausing

Jen Clausing, widow of Bob Clausing, died at the age of 93 on June 22, 2012 in Tulsa, OK following a short illness.   Her death was announced by her three children.              Mrs. Clausing had been a resident of Tulsa since 2007, residing at Saint Simeon’s Episcopal Home.  Mrs. Clausing together with her husband Robert W. Clausing established their Seminole residence in August, 1952 when they purchased Whitbeck Feeders Supply and operated it as Clausing’s Feeders Supply, Inc. until its sale in 1997 to Ralph Black and Rickey Marquis who have continued to grow and operate the business as Clausing Farm Center, LLC.             Mrs. Clausing is survived by three children: W. Kirk Clausing, Tulsa, OK; Carole Lane and husband Peter Lane, Orchard Park, NY; and Mary Talkington and husband John Talkington, Virginia Beach, VA; and five grandchildren: Paul W. Clausing and wife Amy, San Mateo, CA; Jennifer K. Lane, DVM, Kennett Square, PA; Chrissy Lane Stewart and husband James, Collegeville, PA; Erin Talkington, Washington D.C.; Todd Talkington, Washington, D.C.; one great grandson Paul James Clausing, and brothers-in-law Gerald Clausing, Fort Belvoir, VA and Russell Clausing, Overland Park, KS.  She was predeceased by husband Robert W. Clausing, grandson Scott Talkington, her six siblings, and three brothers-in-law.               Jennie J. Kirk was born November 26, 1918, the youngest of seven siblings, on state school land near Douglas, Okla. and was a graduate of Douglas High School (now Covington-Douglas) and Enid Business College. With the exception of a few years when Jen followed her husband-soldier to Texas and California, Jen lived her entire life in Oklahoma.   Jen worked tirelessly with Bob to make the store successful.  She loved talking with customers and sharing information on growing plants and flowers. Jen was happy to see the store continue to prosper and grow as Clausing Farm Center, LLC after its sale to Ralph Black and Rickey Marquis.  The ultimate Master Gardener even before the term was coined, Jen grew huge gardens of vegetables and flowers. She was a no-nonsense type of mother who ensured her children had equal opportunity to pull weeds and work in the garden beside her. Jen generously shared the fruits of her labor with friends and neighbors and was well-known for her strawberries and tomatoes, which on at least one occasion were the subject of Milt Phillips’ “Cluttered Corner” in The Seminole Daily Producer.  Her roses and irises (from her bed of hundreds with over 30 species) became centerpieces for many church and community events.  Her flowers frequently accompanied her home-made pie or sweet rolls which she shared with someone who needed cheering up. Jen made sure her bird feeder was always filled with seed and the bird bath filled with water, even breaking the ice in it during winter.  She was always helpful to other living beings in need.   Jen’s enjoyment came from contributing to the Seminole community. During her residence in Seminole, she generously gave her time to The First Methodist Church of Seminole, where she was still a member at the time of her death; the Seminole Public Library Board; and the University of Oklahoma Mother’s Association during the years her three children were OU students. Jen served the City of Seminole as an election official and spent extra time at the feed store to allow Bob time to work on Lion’s Club and Chamber of Commerce business. Active participation in the Seminole County Republican Women’s Club was her recreation. Somehow she also found time to teach Sunday school classes and lead Campfire Girl troops.  In everything Jen did, she taught her children through example. Hard work, honesty, and helping others were her trademarks in life. She will be remembered by her children for her dedication to her family, her ability to talk to anyone about anything, and her encouragement to become educated, contributing members of society. She was extremely proud that her three children and five grandchildren all became college graduates. Memorial services are pending.  Memorial donations may be directed to a charity of your choice.  Advance planning was made with Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole. Funeral Information: June 22, 2012, 2:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868