Claassen, Jacob Bernhard (1887-1941)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1941 Aug 19 p. 15

Birth date: 1887 Nov 23

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 Aug 6 p. 5

text of obituary:

JACOB B. CLAASSEN FATALLY INJURED IN AUTO-TRACTOR COLLISION

Jacob Bernhard Claassen, a son of Jacob and Agathe, nee Janzen, Claassen was born near Beatrice, Nebr., on November 23, 1887. His early educational opportunities included attendance at the Parochial school; he graduated from the Preparatory School of Hillsboro, Kansas. he also attended the Beatrice Business College.

He was baptized on the confession of his faith in Jesus Christ and joined with the Mennonite church on June 5, 1906. For about fifteen years he farmed near Blue Springs. He also spent some time in the Western States and Canada. In 1933 he moved to the place where he has since resided.

On February 8, 1934, he was married to Katherine E. Wiebe. This union was blessed with two children. Mr. Claassen was an active member of the church, serving as a member of the building committee an as a teacher of an adult Bible class. He enjoyed reading extensively, spending much of his spare time in preparation for his class. Sunday morning, July 20, commenting on the application of the lesson text, he emphasized and lamented the fact that church members generally were not living examples of the Christ-life.

Having completed his threshing Thursday evening, he was assisting a neighbor in moving the equipment across the highway. Here he was fatally injured in an auto-tractor collision. He was taken to the hospital and died at 3:45 Friday morning, July 25. Mourning his seemingly early departure are his wife, Mrs. Katherine Claassen; two children, Mary Katherine and James Henry of the home; his mother, Mrs. Agathe Claassen; four sisters, Mrs. J. D. Goertz, Beatrice; Mrs. Eric Anderson, Pacific Grove, California; Mrs. Waldo Penner, Arkansas city, Kansas; and mrs. John Wiebe, Jr., Beatrice; and five brothers, John P., Omaha; Aaron and Menno Claassen of Beatrice; Theodore, Vineland, Kansas; and Daniel of Chicago; his father-in-law, Henry J. Wiebe, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many relatives and friends. As a parting message he leaves a testimony in the words of the poet: "If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus 'tis now."

I will love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest be [sic] breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

In mansions of Glory and endless delight;
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

Funeral services were held at the Herman Johnson home on Monday, July 28, 9:30 A. M. and at 10:30 A. M. at the First Mennonite church in Beatrice, the Rev. W. H. Dyck, Rev. Reynold Weinbrenner, and Rev. C. Penner officiating. Interment was made at the church cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1941 Aug 26 p. 13