THE REVEREND CANON ARTHUR M.L. KLASSEN

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THE REVEREND CANON ARTHUR M.L. KLASSEN

If you are reading this, then I have passed from this heavenly earth to join my parents, brothers, and other family and friends. I passed peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Lion’s Personal Care Home, my home for the last year and a half.



I was born on February 15, 1945, in Owen Sound, Ontario to my parents, John and Olga and welcomed by my big brothers, Norman and Robert. My mom stayed home to look after the three boys and dad went to work first as a Machinist for Russell Brothers Ship Builders in Ontario. He then went on to become a mechanic on board the tugboats they were building. Russell Brother’s became Russell Hipwell and while working there, Dad was promoted to a managers’ position, and then a position as a Vice President. While still at Russell Hipwell, dad was asked to go to Montreal to open the Cummins Engine office, so our family moved to Montreal. My brother Norman became a Pure Research Scientist at the National Research Council and my brother Robert worked in the oil industry and was an entrepreneur. I grew up attending Montreal West High School and McGill University. At McGill I earned a degree in English Literature with a major in English and a minor in History. After completing my first year in Divinity at McGill, I transferred to Trinity College in Toronto. I was confirmed in the Diocese of Montreal and three years later, on Ascension Day in 1970, I was ordained as a Deacon. Six months later I was ordained a Priest on Advent IV. I served in the parish Church of St. Columba for four years and then became the Rector of St. James-Farnham in the Diocese of Montreal. In 1977, I transferred to the Diocese of Rupertsland and became the Rector of St. Michael and All Angels Church in Winnipeg. During my time at St. Michael’s, I established a Tuesday Church Service at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg providing a weekly service for the residents. I was privileged to serve the St. Michael’s parish and it’s parishioners for 35 and a half years before my retirement in 2012. Upon retirement, I became an Honorary Assistant at All Saint’s Anglican Church, Winnipeg where I remain to this day. During my time at St. Michael’s, I made many lifelong friendships which I treasured over the years. I would like to thank Tom, Tracy and Jason for their help over the years and for being with me throughout my final journey. My deepest thanks to all the staff, good friends and especially Kathryn that I made on the 3rd Floor of Lion’s Personal Care Home, and for their kindness, care and compassion given during my residence there. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to my family doctor, the doctors at CancerCare Manitoba and to those who assisted me throughout the last few years.

I was predeceased by my parents, John and Olga, brothers, Norman and Robert, best friend Vi and many others throughout the years. I am survived by my sister-in-law Brenda, nephews, James and John and niece Sarah.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Saint’s Anglican Church Winnipeg or CancerCare Manitoba.

My funeral will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at All Saint’s Anglican Church, 521 Broadway Avenue, followed by a private interment at The Columbarium at St. John’s Cathedral, Winnipeg. Parking available on the Canada Life Parking lot.

Bardal Funeral Home

204-774-7474

Tribute Wall: www.bardal.ca

THE REVEREND CANON ARTHUR M.L. KLASSEN

If you are reading this, then I have passed from this heavenly earth to join my parents, brothers, and other family and friends. I passed peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Lion’s Personal Care Home, my home for the last year and a half.



I was born on February 15, 1945, in Owen Sound, Ontario to my parents, John and Olga and welcomed by my big brothers, Norman and Robert. My mom stayed home to look after the three boys and dad went to work first as a Machinist for Russell Brothers Ship Builders in Ontario. He then went on to become a mechanic on board the tugboats they were building. Russell Brother’s became Russell Hipwell and while working there, Dad was promoted to a managers’ position, and then a position as a Vice President. While still at Russell Hipwell, dad was asked to go to Montreal to open the Cummins Engine office, so our family moved to Montreal. My brother Norman became a Pure Research Scientist at the National Research Council and my brother Robert worked in the oil industry and was an entrepreneur. I grew up attending Montreal West High School and McGill University. At McGill I earned a degree in English Literature with a major in English and a minor in History. After completing my first year in Divinity at McGill, I transferred to Trinity College in Toronto. I was confirmed in the Diocese of Montreal and three years later, on Ascension Day in 1970, I was ordained as a Deacon. Six months later I was ordained a Priest on Advent IV. I served in the parish Church of St. Columba for four years and then became the Rector of St. James-Farnham in the Diocese of Montreal. In 1977, I transferred to the Diocese of Rupertsland and became the Rector of St. Michael and All Angels Church in Winnipeg. During my time at St. Michael’s, I established a Tuesday Church Service at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg providing a weekly service for the residents. I was privileged to serve the St. Michael’s parish and it’s parishioners for 35 and a half years before my retirement in 2012. Upon retirement, I became an Honorary Assistant at All Saint’s Anglican Church, Winnipeg where I remain to this day. During my time at St. Michael’s, I made many lifelong friendships which I treasured over the years. I would like to thank Tom, Tracy and Jason for their help over the years and for being with me throughout my final journey. My deepest thanks to all the staff, good friends and especially Kathryn that I made on the 3rd Floor of Lion’s Personal Care Home, and for their kindness, care and compassion given during my residence there. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to my family doctor, the doctors at CancerCare Manitoba and to those who assisted me throughout the last few years.

I was predeceased by my parents, John and Olga, brothers, Norman and Robert, best friend Vi and many others throughout the years. I am survived by my sister-in-law Brenda, nephews, James and John and niece Sarah.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Saint’s Anglican Church Winnipeg or CancerCare Manitoba.

My funeral will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at All Saint’s Anglican Church, 521 Broadway Avenue, followed by a private interment at The Columbarium at St. John’s Cathedral, Winnipeg. Parking available on the Canada Life Parking lot.

Bardal Funeral Home

204-774-7474

Tribute Wall: www.bardal.ca

THE REVEREND CANON ARTHUR M.L. KLASSEN

If you are reading this, then I have passed from this heavenly earth to join my parents, brothers, and other family and friends. I passed peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Lion’s Personal Care Home, my home for the last year and a half.



I was born on February 15, 1945, in Owen Sound, Ontario to my parents, John and Olga and welcomed by my big brothers, Norman and Robert. My mom stayed home to look after the three boys and dad went to work first as a Machinist for Russell Brothers Ship Builders in Ontario. He then went on to become a mechanic on board the tugboats they were building. Russell Brother’s became Russell Hipwell and while working there, Dad was promoted to a managers’ position, and then a position as a Vice President. While still at Russell Hipwell, dad was asked to go to Montreal to open the Cummins Engine office, so our family moved to Montreal. My brother Norman became a Pure Research Scientist at the National Research Council and my brother Robert worked in the oil industry and was an entrepreneur. I grew up attending Montreal West High School and McGill University. At McGill I earned a degree in English Literature with a major in English and a minor in History. After completing my first year in Divinity at McGill, I transferred to Trinity College in Toronto. I was confirmed in the Diocese of Montreal and three years later, on Ascension Day in 1970, I was ordained as a Deacon. Six months later I was ordained a Priest on Advent IV. I served in the parish Church of St. Columba for four years and then became the Rector of St. James-Farnham in the Diocese of Montreal. In 1977, I transferred to the Diocese of Rupertsland and became the Rector of St. Michael and All Angels Church in Winnipeg. During my time at St. Michael’s, I established a Tuesday Church Service at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg providing a weekly service for the residents. I was privileged to serve the St. Michael’s parish and it’s parishioners for 35 and a half years before my retirement in 2012. Upon retirement, I became an Honorary Assistant at All Saint’s Anglican Church, Winnipeg where I remain to this day. During my time at St. Michael’s, I made many lifelong friendships which I treasured over the years. I would like to thank Tom, Tracy and Jason for their help over the years and for being with me throughout my final journey. My deepest thanks to all the staff, good friends and especially Kathryn that I made on the 3rd Floor of Lion’s Personal Care Home, and for their kindness, care and compassion given during my residence there. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to my family doctor, the doctors at CancerCare Manitoba and to those who assisted me throughout the last few years.

I was predeceased by my parents, John and Olga, brothers, Norman and Robert, best friend Vi and many others throughout the years. I am survived by my sister-in-law Brenda, nephews, James and John and niece Sarah.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Saint’s Anglican Church Winnipeg or CancerCare Manitoba.

My funeral will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at All Saint’s Anglican Church, 521 Broadway Avenue, followed by a private interment at The Columbarium at St. John’s Cathedral, Winnipeg. Parking available on the Canada Life Parking lot.

Bardal Funeral Home

204-774-7474

Tribute Wall: www.bardal.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 09, 2025, May 10, 2025