60 years of history and counting

Opened in 1959

Ray and Margie Claussen started the business in 1959 along the east bank of the Iroquois river near where the walking bridge from Potawatomi Park is now. Equipment had to be driven down the hill behind the building into the back. It came to be at its new location on North McKinley after a fire in 1962 that almost closed the business. In 2019 the business celebrated 60 years. As the years have gone by, things have changed and many have stayed the same. Starting as an Allis Chalmers dealership, several other product lines have been added, such as Kioti, Simplicity, and Grasshopper parts and machinery.  We will do our best to happily serve our clientele, from next door to states away, for many years to come.

Four generations of service.

Ray and Margie Claussen:
Ray and Margie Claussen are the founders of Claussen Equipment. Ray was a man of many hats. Ray “retired” in 1987 but could be found working most days until he passed in 2012. Margie was full time bookkeeper for over 25 years, as well as being a home maker.
Butch Claussen:
Butch is Ray and Margie’s son. He is the salesman, runs the parts department, and much more. He has worked with the company since 1964.
Linda Emerson:
Linda is Ray and Margie's oldest daughter and kept all the books for the business from 1983 until October 31st 2019. She was also the friendly face at the front desk that only has to meet you once to know your name.

​(photo credit: The Rensselaer Republican)
Paul Dunlap:
Paul is the husband of Beverly Dunlap, who is also Ray and Margie’s daughter. Paul worked as a salesman from 1963 to 2014 and is now retired.
Left: Butch, Center: Linda, Right: Beverly
Left: Linda, Behind: Butch, Center: Ray, Right: Paul
Chris Claussen:
Chris is Ray's oldest grandson, and he is Butch and Mary's oldest son. Starting officially in 1993, he is now the head technician and shop foreman. Chris is responsible for the second half of our slogan: “We sell the best and service the rest.” In 2020 or 2021 he hopes to become the third generation to run Claussen Equipment. He has started the process of becoming the next owner of Claussen's with plans to buy the business in a few years.
Savannah Claussen:
Savannah is Ray's oldest Great Granddaughter and is Chris and Stacy's only daughter,  new to the business April 2018. She deals with the online presence as well as acquiring financing for consumers and is learning parts, accounting, marketing, and sales.

Meet the technicians:

Chris Claussen, Keegan Clark, and Joe Bacewic (photos coming soon)

Community pride
Ray and Margie Claussen started a tradition of community involvement for both the business and the people who work there. Ray was involved in 4H and was on the Board of Soil and Water. Margie was very active in her church. Butch is involved with 4H as well, is the Board president of Fuller Center for Housing (previously Habitat for Humanity) in Rensselaer, and is on the advisory board for the Rensselaer Republican. Ray and Butch are both proud veterans, Linda has been involved with Fountain Park Chautauqua (outside of Remington) for many years. Chris finds himself the last hope in fixing many things around town, and Savannah is also a Board Member of Fuller Center for Housing. Claussen Equipment works with the American Legion next door, has been home to coat drives and participated in many other charitable events for the American Cancer Society, events for local sports teams, and Junior Achievement. You will always find various flyers and advertisements for church dinners, sports, breakfasts, park events, and the Jasper County Fair inside the show room on the working antiquate pop machine, as well as things on the lot saved for Fuller Center and other good causes.