Claassen, Catharine Penner (1867-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Oct 23 p. 14

Birth date: 1867 Aug 17

text of obituary:

Catharine Claassen, geb. Penner, wurde geboren am 17. August, 1867, zu Warnau, West Preußen. Ihre Eltern waren Heinrich und Marie Penner, geb. Penner. Ihren Schulunterricht erhielt sie in der dortigen Dorfschule. Durch ihre Eltern auf die Wichtigkeit des christlichen Lebens hingewiesen, fühlte sie schon in ihrer Jugend den Ruf Gottes ihre Leben dem Herrn zu weihen. Am 2. Juni, 1884, wurde sie vom Aeltesten Johann Toews auf das Bekenntnis ihres Glauben getauft. Am 30. August, 1888, trat sie mit Johannes J. Claassen in den Ehestand, zogen im September des selbigen Jahres nach Amerika und siedelten bei Beatrice Nebraska an. Diese Ehe wurde gesegnet mit 13 Kindern von welchen ihre sechs in die Ewigkeit voran gegangen sind. Am 19. August, 1927, starb unser Vater. Im Jahre 1932 zog unsere Mutter zur Stadt wo sie mit ihren Kindern bis zu ihrem Lebensende wohnte. Nachdem sie den 19. September am Abend plötzlich erkrankte, nahm der Herr sie um 4 Uhr am 20. Sept. wie wir fest hoffen, zu sich in die Herrlichkeit. Sie ist alt geworden, 78 Jahre, 1 Monat, und 3 Tage, und hinterläßt 3 Söhne, und vier Töchter, 2 Schwiegersöhne, 2 Schwiegertöchter, 11 Großkinder, 2 Urgroßkinder, 1 Schwester, vier Brüder, und viele Freunde.

“Du suchst nach jeder Seele, O Heiland lieb und gut,
Damit dir keine fehle in deiner treuen Hut.
Du suchst sie voller treue, Wirkst an ihre sanft und mild,
Daß sich in ihr erneue dein heilig Ebenbild.
Und wenn von allen Mängeln du liebend sie befreist,
Dann ist bei Gottes Engeln der Freude Seligkeit.”
— Die Familie

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Oct 4 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. CATHARINE CLAASSEN

Mrs. Catharine Claassen, daughter of Heinrich and Marie Penner, nee Penner, was born on August 17, 1867, at Warnau, West Prussia. She received her elementary training in the village school.

Having been instructed by her parents in the Word of God, she expressed her desire to enter into a covenant with her Lord. On June 2, 1884, Elder John Toews baptized her upon the confession of her faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior.

On August 30, 1888, she was united in holy matrimony with John J. Claassen, and in September of the same year they came to America, settling on a farm near Beatrice. This union was blessed with 13 children, six of whom preceded her in death; two in early childhood: William, age 18, in 1912; John, age 34, 1930; Marie, age 33, 1940; and Mrs. Henry Thimm, age 43, 1941. Father passed away August 19, 1927.

In 1932 mother moved to Beatrice, where she has since resided with her children. She suddenly became ill on Wednesday, September 19, and was called to her reward the following afternoon at 4:15 o'clock. She attained the age of 78 years, 1 month, and 3 days. Mourning her departure are 7 children, 3 sons and 4 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, 2 daughters-in-law, 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 1 sister, and 4 brothers, and many relatives and friends.

I turned my eyes from earth away
     Far to the hills above;
My Master stood there on that day
     And called me with his love.
I know not how I rose and came
     To Him who waited there—
I only know He spoke my name
     And wall was wond'rous fair.

Funeral Services for Mrs. J. J. Claassen were were held Sunday, September 23. Rev. Walter H. Dyck was in charge of the services in the home. His comforting words directed to members of the immediate family, relatives, and friends, were based on Psalm 23. "The Lord is My Shepherd," and "It is Well With My Soul" were sung by a quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. John K. Wiebe, Marjorie Thimm, and John Goossen, accompanied by Helen Albrecht.

Further services were held from the First Mennonite church at Beatrice. The congregation sang the hymn "Asleep in Jesus." Words of comfort and encouragement were spoken by Rev. C. Penner and Rev. Dyck. Their messages were taken from Rom. 6:23 and Psalm 121:7-8, respectively. The quartet sang the selections "Lebt Wohl," and Abide With Me."

Interment was in the church cemetery. "Going Down the Valley" was sung by the quartet. Rev. Dyck read Rev. 21:1-7a, spoke the committal prayer and benediction.

Our Grandmother has gone to be
     With Jesus Christ her Lord.
She claimed the many promises,
     In God's own Holy Word.

She always did remember us,
     With kindly deeds and prayers —
We'd always feel and always know
     It's Grandmother who cares.

Sweet memories will linger still
     With those who loved her so;
"The Lord be With You," were her words,
     To all who'd come and go.

Frieda Claassen

The Mennonite obituary: 1945 Oct 23 p. 12