Roxanne M. Claassen, age 64, of Waubun, MN, died on Friday, July 8, 2016, at Essentia Health St Mary's in Detroit Lakes, MN after a courageous battle with liver cancer.

Roxanne was born in West Allis, WI, on February 7, 1952, to Lawrence Dentici and Mabel Fairbanks. She became a CNA and pursued her degree to be a nurse early on in her 20's. She married Duane Baumgart, Sr. and they had two children; Lawrence and Duane Baumgart. Later in life, she married Gary Claassen and they were blessed with a daughter, Crystal. Throughout the years, Roxanne worked in manufacturing and warehouse jobs while living in Wisconsin. In 1992, to be closer to her mom she moved to Waubun. Wanting to be an advocate for women and children, Roxanne attended college to become a para legal and continued her education in Detroit Lakes, MN, in 1998.

Roxanne was one of a kind; her personality was like no other. As a true Democrat, she was always ready for a good debate. Roxanne made people laugh, she liked to sing, draw and do crafts. Some of her other favorite hobbies included cooking, sewing, knitting and crocheting but above all she loved her family and friends. As a White Earth enrollee, Roxanne respected the Ojibwa culture and often used herbs and plants as medicine.

Roxanne is survived by her children: Lawrence Fairbanks and Crystal Claassen; her sister, Lelyn James and four grandchildren: Ethan Claassen-Saxon, Eva Claassen, Justice Baumgart and DJ Baumgart.  Roxanne was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Mabel; her son, Duane Baumgart, Jr., and her ex-husband, Gary Claassen.

Memorial services were held Sunday, July 17, 2016, at 2 pm at the Waubun Community Center in Waubun, MN. Inurnment took place at the Vernon Anderson Memorial Cemetery, rural Waubun.