Aasen Family History & Genealogy

John or Johan Aasen (Aason, Assen, Ansen, Ausin) was a circus and movie giant claiming to be "The tallest man in the world" This was not the truth, but he towered in heels and hat around 8'. In stocking feet he reached "only" 7'2" He rose to fame in the 1920´ as a circus giant and movie actor. He was the giant in the Harold Lloyd movie "Why Worry" from 1923- and acted in a total of 12 movies: Bengal Tiger (1936) (uncredited) .... Giant Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936) (uncredited) Giant Man Carnival (1935) Circus giant Freaks - not verified (1932) Show of shows (1929) kid brother Growing Pains (1928) .... Circus giant Should Married Men Go Home? (1928)(uncredited) Tall golfer Say Uncle (1928) tall man Legionnaires in Paris (1927) .... Shorty ... aka French Leave (UK) Two Flaming Youths (1927) (uncredited) .... The Giant The Sting of Stings (1927) .... Giant ... aka A Treat for the Boys (UK) Long Fliv the King (1926) (uncredited) .... Giant Swordsman Why Worry? (1923) (as Johan Aasen) .... Colosso He was born i Minneapolis to Kristi and Alfred Aasen but grew up in Rigdeway, Iowa and Sheyenne ND. He worked in carnivals and sideshows before going to Hollywood. John toured as a giant to Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and many other countries. He worked for several circus/sideshow/vaudeville companies like Al G. Barnes, Sells Floto Circus, Foley and Burke, C.A Wortham, Rubin & Cherry. Fanchon and Marco, Robbins Bros. Circus, Dutton Circus. He also worked in Sid Graumans "The Milliondollar Theater" in LA and toured also as a vaudeville performer- with burlesque dancer Ann Rice Leslie. John did several tours for Shriners and Elks. He lived in Los Angeles for 14 years. Aasen was a Master Mason in Highland Park Lodge and a member of the 233 Club. He died at the Mendocino State Hospital august 1. 1938 Johan "donated" his body to science and The "Freak Doctor" Charles Humberd got his body for examination. His softparts where cremated and his ashes was later shiped back to California and to a Masonic service at Forest Lawn, Glendale. He rest in Columbarium of protection niche#12373, Gardenia Terrace. His mounted skeleton hung in dr. Humberd study until it ended up in Alfred Skryock museum in Loma Linda CA.

Ole S Aasen of Buckley, Pierce County, WA was born on December 12, 1915, and died at age 83 years old on December 24, 1998.

Edwin J Aasen of Otis, Lincoln County, Oregon was born on August 21, 1909, and died at age 73 years old in November 1982.

Selmer G Aasen of Ixonia, Jefferson County, WI was born on January 15, 1914, and died at age 86 years old on March 9, 2000.

John Harold Aasen of Duluth, Saint Louis County, Minnesota was born on December 27, 1924, and died at age 82 years old on September 10, 2007.

Omar B Aasen of Minneapolis, Anoka County, MN was born on March 28, 1917, and died at age 86 years old on July 20, 2003. Omar Aasen was buried at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery Section W Site 5834 7601 34th Avenue, South, in Minneapolis.

Nestor Conrad Aasen of Riverside, Riverside County, California was born on February 25, 1921, and died at age 87 years old on June 7, 2008.

Bennie H Aasen of Watford City, McKenzie County, North Dakota was born on September 28, 1912, and died at age 74 years old in November 1986.

Clarence Theodore Aasen of Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minnesota was born on March 14, 1922, and died at age 85 years old on March 18, 2007.

Arne Aasen of Portland, Multnomah County, OR was born on April 24, 1917 in British North America or Canada or Labrador or Newfoundland, and died at age 62 years old on July 6, 1979. Arne Aasen was buried at Willamette National Cemetery Section O Site 2509 11800 Se Mt. Scott Boulevard, in Portland.

Tom Aasen of Bozeman, Gallatin County, MT was born on January 15, 1907 in Norway or Spitzbergen, and died at age 86 years old on October 15, 1993.

Conrad M Aasen of Willmar, Kandiyohi County, MN was born on September 19, 1923, and died at age 78 years old on November 11, 2001.

Fritchof Carl Aasen of Clara City, Chippewa County, Minnesota was born on January 30, 1921, and died at age 88 years old on June 7, 2009.

Thomas N Aasen of Marysville, Snohomish County, WA was born on October 10, 1922, and died at age 72 years old on July 4, 1995.

Kenneth O Aasen of Oconomowoc, Waukesha County, WI was born on March 15, 1920, and died at age 87 years old on November 8, 2007.

Edwin Kenneth Aasen Sr of Omaha, Douglas County, NE was born on October 27, 1914, and died at age 86 years old on May 15, 2001. Edwin Aasen was buried at Black Hills National Cemetery Section E Site 1959 20901 Pleasant Valley Drive, in Sturgis, Sd.

Donald Dudley Aasen Sr of Portland, Multnomah County, OR was born on October 9, 1932, and died at age 66 years old on March 14, 1999. Donald Aasen was buried at Willamette National Cemetery Section A Site 3370 11800 Se Mt. Scott Boulevard, in Portland.

Kenneth Orville Aasen of Rapid City, Pennington County, SD was born on March 28, 1940, and died at age 58 years old on October 30, 1998. Kenneth Aasen was buried at Black Hills National Cemetery Section O Site 1097 20901 Pleasant Valley Drive, in Sturgis.

Arvid Olaus Aasen was born on July 27, 1948, and died at age 49 years old on April 22, 1998. Arvid Aasen was buried at Willamette National Cemetery Section Z Site 96 11800 Se Mt. Scott Boulevard, in Portland, Or. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Arvid Olaus Aasen.

Marion Christine Aasen of Elma, Grays Harbor County, WA was born on September 10, 1920, and died at age 77 years old on January 24, 1998. Marion Aasen was buried at Willamette National Cemetery Section O Site 2509 11800 Se Mt. Scott Boulevard, in Portland, Or.