Klassen, Elizabeth Voth (1869-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Oct 18 p. 6

Birth date: 1869 Feb 20

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Klassen, 87, early day immigrant to Kansas,were held Tuesday forenoon at the Bethesda Home for Aged in Goessel and the Alexanderwohl Church, Rev. P. A. Wedel and Rev. J. M. Janzen officiating. Mrs. Klassen, widow of the late Frank Klassen, was born in South Russia and came to Kansas as a girl. She had resided in the Bethesda Home before entering the hospital in Goessel, where she died on Saturday. She leaves three sons, two daughters, 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one brothelr, Henry J. Voth of the Bethesda Home.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Oct 25 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. ELIZABETH KLASSEN

Elizabeth Klassen was born Feb. 20, 1869, in Gnadenthal, South Russia to Johann and Karolina Herfort Voth. In 1874, with her parents, brothers and sisters, she came to America, settling on a farm three miles east of Goessel. Here she received her education. She learned most of her English after she was 45 years old.

On May 30,1887, she was baptized in the Alexanderwohl Church by Rev. Jacob Buller.

She was united in marriage to Frank Klassen August 6, 1890. He preceded her in death May 19, 1927, having shared joys and sorrows for 37 years. Their marriage was blessed with three sons and four daughters; two daughters preceded her in death. Surviving are John, an invalid in the Bethesda Hospital and his wife Sara of Canton, Kansas; Kornelia and husband John Franzen, Canton, Kansas; Anna of Topeka; Frank and wife Adina of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Ted and wife Sylvia of Walla Walla, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Two grandsons and one great-grandchild preceded her in death. She is also survived by one brother, H. J. Voth of Goessel. She leaves a host of friends and relatives.

She had deep concern about the spiritual well being of herself and her family and had a fitting Bible verse or hymn for every occasion.

After father's death she made her home with Anna in McPherson, Abilene and Topeka. When her health and eyesight failed, she went to reside in the home of Mrs. D. J. Klassen in Hillsboro and later in the Bethesda Home in Goessel.

She suffered a stroke August 23 which left her completely helpless until the time of her death. She waited patiently to be released from all these earthly pains and troubles, to be in the presence of her Lord and Savior. She departed from this life Oct. 13, 1956, at the age of 87 years, seven months and 22 days.

Fellowship services were held Monday evening, Oct. 15, at the Miller Funeral Home in Goessel, making it possible for her invalid son to attend. Funeral services were held in the Bethesda Home for the Aged at Goessel under the direction of Rev. J. M. Janzen of Hesston and in the Alexanderwohl Church under the direction of Rev. P. A. Wedel, on Oct. 16, 1956.