JOHN C. KLASSEN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOHN C. KLASSEN June 25, 1934 - June 16, 2016 On Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the age of 81 years, John C. Klassen went to be with his Lord and Saviour. He will be missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Bertha (née Pauls); children Karen (Jim Warner) and Andrew (Donna); grandchildren Fred, Natalie, Benton Warner; Paul, Matthew, and Emily Klassen; siblings Neil (Charlotte), Henry (Joyce), Jake (Adeline), Richard (Judy), and Matilda (Walter Hamm); and many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents Cornelius and Mary, and brother Herb. John was born and raised in North Kildonan, Winnipeg. He attended Technical Vocational High School as well as Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute (where he met Bertha). They were married in 1958 at Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church, where they were highly active in music ministry. Together they spent many years in the radio music ministry of Gospel Light Hour (later Mennonite Brethren Communications, and now Square One World Media). John's work at Mennonite Brethren Communications later included computer services. After high school he worked as a technician at the Grain Research Labs and Deer Lodge Hospital. After one year of teacher training, John initially taught in the River East School Division but spent most of his 30-year career with the Winnipeg School Division, where he taught instrumental music, mathematics, computer programming, and Grade Five classroom at various times, retiring in 1992. While a teacher, John found the time to complete a Bachelor of Music and later a Bachelor of Science with a double major in computer and mathematics at the University of Manitoba. He played viola in the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for 15 years, and in the CBC Winnipeg Orchestra for five years. He also played the double bass, and later the violone (which he built himself), in numerous Manitoba orchestras over the years. John conducted the Junior South Orchestra of the Winnipeg Youth Orchestras and later the Mennonite Community Orchestra, as well as several church choirs. John and Bertha's involvement in radio ministry eventually took them on tours to Germany, Austria, France, Paraguay, and Brazil, as well as across Canada. Even after 50 years at Mennonite Brethren Communications, they remained active with a group called the Gospel Light Singers. After John's retirement from school teaching, they made a number of trips to teach music in Paraguay, and for Kingdom Ventures in Russia. John composed and arranged music in many genres, both choral and instrumental. In recent years, he used his computer skills to the fullest, publishing a German hymnal, Russian camp songbooks, a collection of instrumental arrangements of sacred music, as well as two volumes of Low German hymns. He also recorded much of this music. Although gifted in many areas and blessed with a high intelligence (he was a member of Mensa) John wore his talents lightly. What people most remember about John is that he was a good listener who brought out the best in everyone he met. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church, 145 Henderson Hwy., Winnipeg. A string quartet prelude of some of John's favourite classical music will begin at 10:30 a.m. Donations may be made to Square One World Media, 225 Riverton Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2L 0N1, or Kingdom Ventures Inc., PO Box 38144, East St. Paul, MB R2E 1H3.
Publish Date: Jun 22, 2016

JOHN C. KLASSEN John C. Klassen passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at the age of 81 years. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church, 145 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg. Longer notice to follow in Wednesday's edition.

Publish Date: Jun 18, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2016