A. T. "Tom" Classen

A Celebration of Life for A.T. “Tom” Classen, 87, of Norfolk, will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at Home for Funerals Chapel at 708 Georgia Avenue. Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Home for Funerals Chapel.

A. T. (Tom) Classen was born March 18, 1931, in Humphery, NE, and passed on May 11, 2018, in Norfolk, NE. He was the son of Englebert and Magdaline Classen in Humphrey, Nebraska.  Due to the loss of his parents as a child, he was raised by his half-brother and wife, Joe and Hilda Fassbinder.  After graduating from Humphrey St. Francis, Tom worked for the Creamery, and then moved to Norfolk to work for Henningsen Foods as an engineer.

Tom married Sylvia Fehringer on November 26, 1951.  To this union four children were born, Bonnie, Lee, Jack and Larry.  As a family, Tom and Sylvia enjoyed camping and spending time at the lake cabin he built.  The most memorable times were the family vacations taken with the kids and grandkids at the Ozarks.  These great memories are still being talked about by his grandkids. 

Tom was a technology driven individual and received several patents. While working at Henningsen’s, his first patent was for the egg-breaking machine that revolutionized the egg separation industry. During this time he traveled worldwide promoting and installation of his machine.

Tom started Classen Manufacturing in 1973. Being mechanically inclined, he holds the patents on a variety of products including spiral staircases, real estate sign posts, lawn aerators, and golf course equipment. In 1977, he also started Classen Fabrication to build structural steel for commercial buildings.

Tom retired in 1990 to spend winters in Florida and summers in Norfolk. He enjoyed golfing, genealogy, old movies, work puzzles and reading.

Tom will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife of over 66 years, Sylvia; their children Bonnie and Mike Johnson, Lee and Pam Classen, Jack and Jodie Classen, Larry and Lori Classen and grandchildren Mirinda and Chris Cover, Nathan and Casey Johnson, Alyssa Johnson, Melissa Classen, Malory Classen, Matt and Jamie Classen, Chase and Jodee Classen, Tyler and Amy Classen, Chelsea and Brock Benck, Josh and Tera Classen, Jonathan Classen, Jordan Classen, Jayce Classen, and twenty-five great-grandchildren. 

 He is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and four sisters.

 In lieu flowers memorials may be made in his name to Faith Regional Health Services.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.homeforfuneralsinc.com.

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