Calvin Michaelsen's Obituary
Calvin C. Michaelsen, 84, of Clinton, died Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics – Iowa City, Iowa. Funeral Services will be 10:30am, Monday, June 7, 2010 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clinton. Burial will be in the Springdale Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00-6:00pm at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory. Calvin C. Michaelsen was born on January 2, 1926 in Charlotte, Iowa, the son of Chris and Agnes (Schroeder) Michaelsen. He married Doris E. Voged on September 26, 1948 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clinton. Cal was a 1943 graduate of Clinton High School. He later served in the United States Navy during World War II serving from 1944-1946. Cal was life underwriter and insurance executive for Kemper Insurance Company retiring in 1990. Cal was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He had a lifelong passion for jazz, playing clarinet and saxophone and singing with various groups in the Clinton area. He described himself as a jazz musician moonlighting as an insurance underwriter. He had a great sense of humor, enjoyed American history, traveling, and socializing with friends and family. He also enjoyed photography, fishing, cooking, and the outdoors. Cal is survived by his wife of 61 years: Doris of Clinton; three sons: Christian (Janet) Michaelsen of Annandale, Virginia, William Michaelsen of Clinton; and Andrew (Wendy) Michaelsen of Frisco, Texas; two daughters: Barbara Simmons of Eagan, Minnesota, and Laura Jorgensen of Clinton, eleven grandchildren: Benjamin (Claudia) McDowell, Katie Simmons Rock, Greta Michaelsen, Ben (Monica) Jorgensen, Joseph Simmons, Andy Jorgensen, Michael Jorgensen, Rebekka Michaelsen, Annie Michaelsen, Hannah Michaelsen, and Christian Michaelsen; and three great-grandchildren: Andrew, Maggie and James McDowell.
Cal was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, and his son-in-law: Dave Simmons.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Zion Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Calvin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Calvin?
Share a story where Calvin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Calvin you’ll never forget.
How did Calvin make you smile?