Editing Klassen, Abram (1904-1976)

''Mennonite Brethren Herald'' obituary: 1976 Dec 24 p. 28

Birth date: 1904 Jul 25

text of obituary:

<center><h3>ABRAM KLASSEN</h3></center>

Abram Klassen was born on July 25, 1904,
in BUrwalde, Russia, the son of Abram and
Anna (nee Harms) Klassen. A highlight of
his life was his baptism as a teenager with
several other members of his family, upon
confession of their faith, by his father, who
was a minister in the Mennonite Brethren
church. On January 17, 1929 he married
Anna Pauls. Although Abram and Anna
were spared from being sent to Siberia
during the Stalin purge, his immediate
family all died there of starvation with the
exception of one sister, Anna.
He assumed many duties in the community. Three children were born to the
Klassens in Russia. The family joined the
German retreat in 1943; as one of the few
men who was not forced to serve in the
army, Mr. Klassen was able to serve many
other fleeing disrupted families. He was
active in arranging the migration of many to
South America, where he himself moved with
his family in 1947. Much time and wisdom
was required in his work with the settling of
refugees-mostly women and children- in
South America and the distribution of relief
supplies.
In South America Mr. Klassen was ordained to the ministry, and he served the
church faithfully. Under his leadership a
church sanctuary was built. God led the
Klassens to Canada in 1955, where they
eventually settled in Vineland, Ontario. In
answer to his prayers, all of his children
accepted Christ and were baptized. In retirement he found a rewarding new area of
service at the Home for the Aged in
Vineland. At the end of his full life, Mr.
Klassen could say, "I have done what I
could!"
After some years of failing health, he
collapsed on October 28. On November 8,
early in the morning, he entered his eternal
reward. A memorial services was held in the
Vineland Church, with Isaac Block and
Helmut Koop officiating.
He leaves to mourn his beloved wife,
Anna; four children, Abe and his wife Alvina
in Saskatoon; Anna (Mrs. Erwin) Goossen in
Vineland; Katie Klassen in Winnipeg; and
Mary (Mrs. Vic) Klassen in Vineland; 10
grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and
many friends.

[[Category:Mennonite Brethren Herald obituaries]]