JOHN GEORGE KLASSEN

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JOHN GEORGE KLASSEN On Friday, June 9, 2006, John Klassen age 94 years of Gladstone went to be with the Lord following a serious fall on May 28 where he suffered a broken arm and hip and then contracted pneumonia. John George Klassen was born on February 23, 1912 in Dobrovka, Russia to George George and Agatha Klassen. John's parents (with the 5 youngest children) left Russia and landed in Halifax on May 1, 1926. The family homesteaded in Mitchel, MB. John worked as a farm hand, often driving 8 horse hitches. During the winter months he and his brother Dave worked at logging. They lived in a shack during the week coming into Steinbach for the weekends. He met Sara Voth by way of an introduction of his sister. Sara worked in Winnipeg so John would ride his bicycle from Steinbach on gravel roads for a date. They were married in Steinbach on December 8, 1935. John was baptized on his faith in August 1937, at which time he made a firm commitment to his church and his beliefs. John studied at Steinbach Bible Institute for one semester. John and Sara farmed at Mitchel until 1941 at which time they moved their house, shed, and barn complete with chickens to North Kildonan. He was a produce dealer for approximately 25 years. He and Sara then worked together at various jobs such as caretaking, maintenance and operating a cafeteria. In spite of his busy schedule, John was committed to teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir and various church functions. After the war, the Klassen's were part of a group of people who assisted displaced war relatives come to Canada. The Klassen family enjoyed many years of camping and fishing in the Whiteshell Park and John and Sara made numerous trips throughout Canada and the USA. After semi-retirement for about 12 years, they traveled and stayed at Brownsville, Texas for the winter months where John was able to play golf all winter. Upon full retirement they moved to Gladstone. Here they enjoyed a quiet country lifestyle, puttering around the yard and golfing. The last few years John's health was failing. In August 2005 he moved into Third Crossing Manor, Gladstone and Sara moved into Centennial Apartments adjacent to the care home to be near him. The adjustment to this lifestyle was very difficult for both of them. Sara will miss their evening prayer time together. He leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife Sara in their 71st year of marriage; one son John Klassen (Kathy); daughters Margaret Bryans (Fred), Hildegard Vandenbllaardt (Dirk), and Elfriede Johnson (Ken); grandchildren Vern Klassen ( Chelsea), Nadine Blair (Aaron), Linda Giesbrecht (Vic), Lorraine Redekopp, Lois Thiessen, June Redekopp (Jason Woods), Robert Vandenbyllaardt (Lenore), Amanda Single (Darren), Marguerite Duthie, Richard Johnson (Denise), and Annissa McLean (Joseph); great-grandchildren Patric and Elijah Klassen, Danielle Blair, Jennifer, Lindsey and Amy Giesbrecht, Dylan and Thomas Thiessen, K'laya Vandenbyllaardt and Alex Single, Charmaine and Christopher Duthie, Brittany and Taylor Johnson, and Joseph McLean Jr. John was predeceased by his parents, two brothers and two sisters in Canada, one brother and three sisters in Russia as well as two grandsons Wayne Redekopp and Dirk Vandenbyllaardt. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 13 at 2:00 p.m. in the Christian Fellowship Church, Gladstone with Pastor Randy Fehr officiating. Interment will take place on Wednesday, June 14 at 3:00 p.m. at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, Winnipeg. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Valley View Bible Camp, Box 430, MacGregor, MB R0H 0R0 or to a charity of one's choice. The family will miss him very much but we know that he now has a new body and is in the presence of the Lord. Clarke's Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements. www.clarkesfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 12, 2006