Lisa Clausen
COLUMBIA — Passionate. Shy. Dedicated. Understated. Brilliant.
While most of us would struggle to find a way to visually represent those words, Lisa Clausen could probably have found a way. It’s almost ironic because those very words were used to describe Clausen, an MU graduate and former Knight Fellow at the Columbia Missourian.
Lisa Clausen died Tuesday in Minneapolis. She was 51.
“Lisa was very quiet and understated for someone so brilliant,” said Joy Mayer, design editor for the Missourian. “People wouldn’t even realize they were in the presence of a rock star.”
Clausen was instrumental in designing and launching the Weekend Missourian.
Julie Wyatt, one of Clausen’s students at the time, said that Clausen was able to explain “design to non-design people.”
“She was always very insightful, always said things about my work that were different,” Wyatt said. “She had a unique way of thinking about things.”
Clausen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1979 and a master’s degree in 1983, both from the MU School of Journalism. Clausen worked for the Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Times, the Gazette in Colorado Springs, the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Los Angeles Times and most recently at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Her colleagues and students remember Clausen for her dedication, energy, fresh insight and sense of humor. Also, for “Steve the Dog,” her beloved Labrador retriever who occasionally made visits with her to the newsroom.
Clausen was a non-traditional candidate for the Knight Center Editing Fellowship, which she received in 2006, Knight Chair Jacqui Banaszynski said. Clausen’s design background and sincere desire to challenge herself intrigued Banaszynski.
“She was spot-on how learning professionals should be,” Banaszynski said.
After her fellowship, Clausen returned to the Star-Tribune, where she had worked as the features design director.
“She brought more out in people than they thought they could do,” said Cory Powell, managing editor for presentation at the Star-Tribune. “She was passionate, and empathetic, and felt strongly about the power of visuals in storytelling.”
Clausen’s passion for the news industry was echoed by many other colleagues, students and friends.
When she started her career, “She thought she could make a big difference,” said Mary Lawrence, a former Missourian colleague and friend. “Towards the end of her life she wasn’t sure if she had.”
But Lawrence would disagree. “Anyone who worked with her — editors, students — working with her changed their lives for the better. I know my life will never be the same.”
She is survived by her husband, Bill Bergsten.
Funeral arrangements are pending, and will be posted on ColumbiaMissourian.com when they become available.
