RICHARD (DICK) KLASSEN

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RICHARD (DICK) KLASSEN On Friday, August 19, 2011 unexpectedly our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather went to be with Jesus. Dick was born May 23, 1933 in Gouldtown, SK. After a year in Paraguay from 1948-1949 his family settled in Tisdale, SK. This is where he met his wife Martha Krahn whom he married July 1, 1950. In 1951 they moved to Steinbach where Dick worked a short time in construction; later in the auto body business. In 1964 he and Martha and family moved to Killarney, MB where he opened another shop, Klassen's Paint and Body. He also did towing for the RCMP with two tow trucks. Ten years later he took his young family to Ashern, MB where he started Ashern Paint and Body, but due to health reasons he left the auto body business and started driving school bus and doing upholstery. There are many fond memories when he and Martha purchased Oak Bay Lodge on Lake Manitoba. One thing he was known for was waking early and raking the beach! Throughout the years he was an ambulance driver, heavily involved with the fire department, a long standing member of the Elks Lodge, an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors. He was a pilot, a boatsman, snowmobiler, water-skier and stock-car owner. He will be greatly missed!! Dick is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha, daughter Connie (Roger) and son Joshua, son Michael (Donna), children Corwin, Colin, Nolan and Makenzy, daughter Karen (Kelly), children Kyle (Candace, Anika and Ryder), Ce'Lynn. He is predeceased by one sister Lydia, son Randy and both parents, Diedrich and Helen. A Memorial service will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Dr, Steinbach on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. The family would like to thank the staff at Bethesda Place, where Dick resided before his passing, for their wonderful care of our husband and father. You are angels!! In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Bethesda Place, 399 Hospital St., Steinbach, MB R5G 0E6. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 22, 2011