David KLASSEN

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KLASSEN: David Klassen, our dear husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather died peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on January 10, 2009 at the age of 89. He was born on December 22, 1919 in the Molotchna Ukraine and immigrated to Canada with his parents and siblings in November 1926. The family farmed in the Kenton and Alexander areas before settling on a farm near Beresford Manitoba in 1944; David loved the land and gained great satisfaction from farming and involvement in agricultural matters. In 1949, he married the love of his life, Katherine Derksen; they celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in October of 2008. The love and loyalty demonstrated in their marriage was and continues to be an example for their children and grandchildren. They retired to Brandon in 1983 where they continued to reside. Their lives were filled with friends, relatives, travel and long standing relationships, all of which were grounded in their faith and personal relationship with Christ. David had an unshakeable faith in his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ; he was confident that God had his life and his future well in hand; this simple faith was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was very involved in the church community; first at Griswold, then Alexander, then Brandon (Richmond Park Mennonite Brethren Church). This involvement included Board work, volunteering with Mennonite Central Committee (Self-Help Store) and generous support of missions both local and abroad. He highly valued education and so regretted having to leave schoolat an early age to take over the farm; as children and grandchildren, he had a significant influence on our plans for an education to ensure productivecareers. Music played an important part in David's life; he loved to sing, listen to his daughter play the piano and always had an opinion of the quality of music at church. He passed his love of hymns, classical music, opera and CBC radio to his children and grandchildren. David is survived his loving wife, Katherine; daughter Helga (Jim) Bryant, son Paul (Becky) Klassen; grandchildren: Chris (Sheri) Bryant; Ken (Jocelynn) Bryant; Dave (Anna Mae) Bryant; Valerie (Walter) Funk; Kevin (Lyndsey) Klassen and six great grandchildren: Haylie and Alyssa Bryant, Tayler Sky Bryant; StevenFunk; Deklan and Cole Klassen. He is also survived by siblings Anne Klassen, Elizabeth Robinson and Henry Klassen of British Columbia. There is a hole in our hearts now, however we know David is in the presence of his Lord, standing straight, tall and healthy. Dad, we will love you forever, we will never stop missing you and we promise to continue living, being and loving as you taught us. Great is thy Faithfulness, O God our Father. The family wishes to thank Home Care staff and the staff on A2M for their care. The family is grateful for all the support, care and concern that has been so generously been offered to us over the past days, weeks and months. The Funeral Service was held at Richmond Park Mennonite Brethren Church, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Pastor Dave Ens officiated. Interment was in the Brandon Cemetery. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of David to The Gideons, P.O. Box 3619, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 7A2.Expressions of sympathy may be made atwww.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 17, 2009