Biography

Carmen E. Lassen, age 84, of Napoleon, Ohio died Tuesday evening at the Lake East Hospital, in Painesville, Ohio.
Born August 20, 1925 in Defiance, Ohio, Carmen was the daughter of Russell and Hazel (Wolf) Blanchard. On July 8, 1951, she married Martin G. Lassen. He preceded her in death on February 7, 1999.
Carmen graduated from Defiance High School and attended Capital University, where she received her teaching degree. During WWII, she taught in the Hicksville Public Schools for two years because of a shortage of teachers. Later she was an elementary school teacher for the Defiance City Schools, retiring in 1986. Carmen also taught private piano and voice lessons. She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Napoleon, Ohio, where she served as the children’s choir director. Carmen was also the organist for the First Presbyterian Church and later the Defiance Methodist Church for over 30 years. She served as chairman for the Community Concerts of Napoleon, was the pianist for Homemakers Chorus, and was a longtime member of the Child Conservation League of Napoleon.
Surviving is one son Kermit (Lisa) Lassen, Bay Village, Ohio; three daughters Cheryl (Bob) General, Madison, Ohio, Linda (Jeff) Stets, Westerville, Ohio, Yvonne (George) Harter, Saratoga, California; 10 grandchildren; and two brothers; Marvin (Betty Ann) Blanchard, Bryan, Ohio and L.B. Blanchard, Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, in the First Presbyterian Church, Napoleon, Ohio, Rev. Gavin Pitt, officiating. Interment will be made in Riverview Memory Garden, rural Defiance County.
Friends may call at the Walker Mortuary, Napoleon, Ohio, on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
The family has suggested that memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church music department or the children’s choir or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
On line condolences may be made at www.walkermortuary.us.com