KATHERINE ANNE HAMILTON KLASSEN

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KATHERINE ANNE HAMILTON KLASSEN It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of our precious Katherine; daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend, on Monday, July 14, 2008. Born June 20, 1974, Katherine grew up in North Kildonan, attended Maple Leaf Elementary School, then M.B.C.I. as a member of the six year club encompassing grades 7 to 12. Following high school, Katherine earned a B.Sc. in Biology followed by a B.N. (with distinction) in 2000, a particularly difficult time in her life when her best friend and beloved brother David was killed on June 20, 1999. Following graduation Katherine practiced nursing at Concordia Hospital and at the same time, after receiving a fellowship from the University of Manitoba, entered the Masters of Nursing program. During her studies she decided that she could contribute far more to the field of health care by becoming a physician in family practice, and consequently set out to further her education by applying to the University of Manitoba School of Medicine. Without a word to family or friends, she completed the preparatory requirements and subsequently received her acceptance for the class of 2009. She began her studies in the fall of 2005, but became ill three months into the program, forcing her to withdraw in order to receive active treatment. By the fall of 2007, after a difficult but determined recovery process, Katherine was ready to resume her studies and returned to medical school with the class of 2011. She successfully completed year one this past spring. Katherine's desire to become a physician was reflective of her deep caring and loving nature, attributes that shone like shining stars to all those who came into her presence. She wanted to make a difference in this world by becoming a physician who would compassionately listen, react, and support those who came to her for care. Her own life experiences were a great impetus for her endeavors in the medical field, and it is such a tragedy that she will be unable to achieve her dream. There is absolutely no doubt, that she would have been a truly amazing physician. For Katherine, family and friends were so very important. The love that embraced her every day of her life, she returned many times over to all those around her. Family gatherings and celebrations were truly happy times for her and provided an opportunity to reconnect with those she loved. Between family get togethers she kept in touch by regular email, phone calls or Facebook entries just to ensure connections stayed intact. Katherine's love for travel took her to many wonderful places, most memorable were her whale watching expeditions. She found the magnificence of the whales spiritually uplifting and a reflection of God's glory. Their mammoth size combined with their gentle behavior assured her that all creatures can live in harmony in this world and that there was hope for our future. Weekend travel took Katherine to her magical retreat, her cottage at Royal Lake. Life was serene and wonderful there for her, a place like no other that she loved from a very young age. Waterskiing, kneeboarding, canoeing, swimming bonfires, and catching fireflies, all cottage life things to do, things that she loved to do. Katherine's keen sense of humour was as unique as she was. Life presented her with many challenges and she handled them all with grace, dignity and often an amazing sense of the absurd. Laughter was a great healer and Katherine had a true gift of finding the lighter side of any situation. Life will never be the same without our darling Kath. She will be forever loved and deeply missed by her parents Rudy and Linda, sister Susan, soul mate Christina, and cherished lifelong friend Stephanie. Her little dog Fergus who gave her such joy, will miss her study sessions, golden opportunities to sneak pencils from her to chew, and nap times, when he could cuddle up and just be , in the afternoon sun with her. His wonderful companion has gone and he wonders where he can find her. Katherine was predeceased by her brother, David William Hamilton Klassen, cousin, Ian William Klassen, aunt, Helen Klassen, and grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Glen Hamilton, and Maria and Kornelius Klassen. The only comfort we have in the loss of our Katherine is the assurance that she, and her brother David are together once again in heaven. Their earthly bond was undeniably inseparable, and we are convinced that it continues on. A celebration of Katherine's life will be held at John Black Memorial Church, 898 Henderson Highway, Friday, July 18, 2008 at 2:00 p.m., Diaconal Minister (Rev) Heather Sandilands officiating. Loving daughter, devoted sister, loyal friend, peacemaker, and confidant are merely a few of attributes of our Katherine. She will continue to shine and be an example to us all in the way that she lived her life and cared for all those around her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the David and Katherine Klassen Memorial Fund, Concordia Hospital, 1095 Concordia Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R2K 3S8. The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. Love, Love, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 17, 2008