Clarence Joseph 'Topper' Fossen

Sept. 19, 1949--Dec. 26, 2010

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Clarence Joseph "Topper" Fossen, 61, passed away on Sunday (Dec. 26, 2010) at Community Hospital in McCook.

Topper was born on Sept. 19, 1949, in McCook to Henry Mathias "Hank" and Pauline Barbara (Stritt) Fossen. He graduated from Bartley High School in 1967 in Bartley, Nebraska. He continued his education taking a farming program at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He returned to the Indianola, Nebraska community where he farmed until a farming accident in 1983.

Topper was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church, the Knight's of Columbus, and the Indianola Rotary Club. He loved his nieces and nephews, and his two companions and best friends, his dogs, Snickers and Sierra.

Proceeding him in death were his parents, Hank and Pauline Fossen; sister-in-law, Lavon Fossen; and brother-in-law, Jeff Sughroue.

Survivors include his sister, Marcia Sughroue of Indianola; two brothers, Kenneth Fossen and wife, Connie of Omaha and Larry Fossen and wife, Jill of Chaska, Minnesota; nieces and nephews, Diana (Fossen) and Joe Peņa, Kurtis and Kate Fossen, Katie Fossen, Kevin and Amy Mills, Nicole Mills, Kayla Fossen, Kelsey Sughroue and Nathan Sughroue; great-nieces and nephews, Kayla, Karissa, Ashton and Nicholas Peņa and Aiden Sugroue; special friends, David and Nancy Remmenga; and numerous family and a host of friends.

Memorials may be given in his name to the Indianola Ambulance.

Mass of Christian burial is Thursday, 1 p.m., at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola with Father Gary Brethour officiating. Burial is at St. Catherine's Cemetery.

Rosary is Wednesday, 7 p.m., at Carpenter Breland Chapel.

Visitation is today until 4 p.m., and Wednesday, 9 a.m. until the time of the rosary, at Carpenter Breland.

Friends may go online at www.carpenterbreland.com to extend condolences to the family.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.