Dolores Clauss

Dolores B. Pittelkow Ryan Clauss

7/14/1929-6/15/2025

Dolores was born in Chicago on July 14, 1929.  She died in an assisted living facility in Pendleton, OR on June 15, 2025 at the age of 95. She was raised in Belvidere, IL. by her parents George Pittelkow and Blanche (Simonson) Pittelkow Johnson.  Dolores graduated from Belvidere High School in 1947.  She married George E. Ryan of Belvidere, IL. in 1948. They were parents to Susan Arkless (David), Pendleton, OR., George Thomas (Claudia), Puyallup, WA., Timothy, Sitka, AK., Terry, Paxton, IL., Todd, Sitka, AK and Tracy, Onarga, IL. Dolores and George divorced in 1968. 

In 1969 Dolores married Glenn Clauss of Melvin, IL.  She resided in Melvin until 2013.  Dolores was a talented artist and crafts person.  They owned Clauss Crafts and Clauss Manufacturing and traveled throughout the country exhibiting their shadow boxes and other products. Later, Dolores became the activities director at Ford County Nursing Home until her retirement in 1999.  Dolores was a member of St. Peter Free Lutheran Church in Melvin.  Dolores and Glenn were avid cut glass collectors and were life members of The American Cut Glass Association.  Dolores was a life member of the American Legion and VFW auxiliaries.

Dolores moved to Pendleton, OR in 2013 to be closer to her daughter.  While living in Pendleton she was member of the VFW, Eagles, Moose and Altrusa. She loved to play Bingo and Pinochle weekly.  Dolores loved to bake and regularly sold her pies and tea breads at bazaars or shared them with others.

Dolores is preceded in death by her husband, parents, step-father Harold Johnson, birth mother Ruby Cordt, ex-husband and daughter-in-law Greta Ryan as well as many close friends from Melvin. Grama D, as she was affectionately called by her offspring, is survived by her children and their spouses as well as eight granddaughters, sixteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren and her close friends Jackie and Gary Adams and Karen Rose of Pendleton.

Dolores’ family is grateful to the staff at Ashley Manor in Pendleton and Vange John Hospice Care for their loving care of their mother and grandmother.

A memorial service for Dolores will be held in the fall in Melvin, IL.