Verna Klassen

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VERNA KLASSEN

Verna was born to Abe R. and Elisabeth Reimer of Blumenhof, Manitoba, on July 23, in the summer of 46. She left us and went to be with her Heavenly Father, late Tuesday night, February 25, 2014, at the Health Sciences Center, before she reached her 68th birthday.
She grew up on the family farm a mile north of Blumenhof. She also went to school in Blumenhof from 1952- 1960 and later grades 9-10 at the Blumenort High School Huts. During her school years, she quickly became friends with Sara and Pauline Doerksen, who lived down the road. Verna loved school and the wider circle of social friendships it offered. Along with that, she developed a lifelong friendship with her cousin Margaret Penner, which continued to the present with monthly visits. Agnes Hesse became a real sister to Verna after immigrating to Canada from Germany with her family, because of war.
A number of foster siblings became part of Verna’s growing up experience: Nellie, Barbara, Nettie, Joey, Debbie, George, Randall also Dorothy Kocian, Anne Isaac and others including several older ladies. (Who had considerable trouble eating Cheerios.)
Culinary skill came to Verna easily. (Except the first time making New Year’s cookies.) She became the family chef early and could get the meat, veggies and potatoes on the table, hot and ready, all at the same time. Later together with Agnes, she began a long time catering service that included pro bono cooking at the church’s Bible Camp, both at Beaver Creek and at Eagle Lake every summer, years on end.
Verna was baptized upon her faith on Dec. 10, 1961 at the Blumenort EMC, where she became an active member. On April 2, 1965, with snow on the ground and great warmth in her heart, she married Frederick Benjamin Klassen. In July 1969, to their great joy, just before their move to Eastern Mennonite (now University) Harrisonburg, Virginia, they had their first child, Warren Keith, later joined by two sisters, Theresa and then Jennifer.
Verna was always a strong and a healthy person, but for a minor lung condition that resulted in an ongoing small cough, which subsequently became a much bigger problem and required continual oxygen since 2006, leading to the loss of well being and eventually robbing her of life itself. (Verna, how we wished we could breathe for you)
Verna leaves to mourn her passing and to cherish her memory: husband Fred of almost 49 years, son Keith and his children: Mackenzie and Kari, daughters: Theresa (Quentin Wiebe) and their children Nicole and Kyra; and Jennifer (Russell Friesen).

She also leaves behind her siblings: Garnet and Betty, Arnie and Donna, Allan and Sharon, Anna and John, Robert and Debbie, and all their families; her father-in-law Abe U. Klassen, as well as her brothers and sisters-in-law.

She was predeceased by her mother-in-law Margaret Klassen and by her parents Abe R. and Elisabeth Reimer.

Viewing will be held Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. Viewing also at the church prior to the service.

The funeral service will be held Monday, March 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Blumenort Evangelical Mennonite Church, Blumenort, MB, with burial to follow at the church cemetery.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Verna may be made to Eagle Lake Bible Camp, (Blumenort EMC ministry) PO Box 114, Blumenort, MB, R0A 0C0.

Arrangements by
BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Feb 28, 2014