Klassen, Katherine R. Krause (1885-1951)

Latest revision as of 14:07, 20 October 2015

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Nov 15 p. 6

Birth date: 1885 Feb 26

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. Katherine Krause Klassen, wife of Frank H. Klassen, 119 Southeast Eighth Street were held Monday afternoon at the First Mennonite church, of which she was a member. It was one of the largest funerals held in the church in recent months, many relatives and friends having come from a distance to attend. Mrs. Klassen, who was 66 years of age, died Friday afternoon at the Axtell Christian Hospital after a lingering illness. She was born Feb. 26, 1885, the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Peter J. Krause of Lehigh. She and Mr. Klassen were married July 27, 1919 and later established their home in Newton, living here for about 24 years. Survivors are her husband and two daughters, Adelia K. Klassen of the home and Mrs. Johnnie (Myrta) Bartel of Hillsboro; and four sisters. Mrs. P. H. Klassen and Mrs. H. A. Ewert, both of Newton, Mrs. C. C. Friesen of Hillsboro and Mrs. L. R. McComb of Topeka. The services at the church were conducted by Rev. D. J. Unruh and Rev. J. E. Entz, burial being in Greenwood cemetery.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Nov 22 p. 9

text of obituary:

Katherine R. Krause Klassen, daughter of Rev. Peter J. and Susanna Reimer Krause, was born Feb. 26, 1885, in Marion County, Kansas. When eight years of age her father accepted the position as principal of the Lehigh schools where she finished her elementary studies.

As a child she loved her Savior dearly, and showed great faith in Him. On Dec. 7, 1902, she publicly confessed Christ as her personal Savior in baptism and became a member of the Lehigh Mennonite church.

As she always admired her father’s work as teacher and choir leader very much, she hoped some day to follow in his footsteps. This ambition was soon realized as she was hired to teach her first school at the age of 19. After teaching for a few years and faithfully assisting her father in various phases of church work, she enroll as a student at Bethel Collet graduating after three years from the German-English Academic and Normal courses, having acted as assistant teacher at the Academy for one year. After this she again took up teaching public school, which seemed to be her life’s work. She also attended State Normal School at Emporia and State Normal at Kirksville, Missouri.

Throughout the years she has taught many Bible Classes and other groups, but dearest to her heart were the memories of her public school teaching and her choir directing. Often she recalled happy incidents, and the love shown her by her pupils.

The Lord had given her a great burden for souls, and many have been the prayers for her pupils and members of her Sunday School classes. It was her hope and desire that all her “boys and girls,” as she called her pupils, meet her in Glory. In 1919 she was married to Frank H. Klassen. Two daughter came to bless their home. She loved her home and her family dearly, daily teaching her daughters the narrow way and taking her family to the Throne of Grace. Their’s was a happy home where love reigned.

In the year 1932 she and her now bereaved husband transferred their membership to the First Mennonite church of Newton where she remained a faithful member to the end. She was always greatly interested in all the activities of the church and supported it loyally in word and deed being a regular attendant at Sunday School and church when her health, or the health of her loved ones permitted. She has given many years of faithful service as teacher in the Sunday School. The Lord had given her an unusual talent as teacher and she was called often to teach in the vacation Bible schools and the young women's Bible classes. She also served as chairman of the Women’s Missionary Association of the Western District Conference and as president of the Mission Study Circle of the First Mennonite church.

She loved her Lord and His Word and served Him faithfully, her only regret being that she could not serve Him better.

In 1944 they were permitted to celebrate their silver wedding giving praise to the Lord for His gracious leading throughout the years, for even in the dark days of illness and pain His presence gave comfort and strength.

Her last illness was a lingering one in which she suffered for many months, but she was resigned and bore her sufferings cheerfully and with fortitude.

On Friday, November 9, 1951, at 3:15 in the afternoon, her spirit was released to enter the presence of Him in whom she had believed and to whom she had dedicated her life. She reached the age of 66 years, eight months and 14 days.

Surviving are her devoted husband and two daughters, Adelia of the home and Myrta with her husband, Johnnie Bartel of Hillsboro, and a little grandson, Ronald. Four sisters also survive, Mrs. P. H. Klassen and Mrs. H. A. Ewert of Newton, Mrs. C. C. Friesen of Hillsboro and Mrs. L. R. McComb of Topeka, Kansas. Both brothers, Peter R. and Arnold Krause preceded her in death, as well as one sister, Mrs. Lena Klassen. In addition to the immediate family, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends remain to cherish the memory of one who was loved and esteemed while sojourning among them. A life rich in service has come to an end for this world.

The following was found among her papers:

“The severing of human ties is one of the saddest trials in the hearts and homes of loved ones. But we should not grieve for them, for death is the beginning of immortality. Death is but the beginning of all life, not the close, but the dawn of day. The end of all sorrow, the end of all strife, with earth’s barriers broken away."

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow them.

Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite church on Monday, Nov. 12, 1951, at 2:30 in the afternoon, with Rev. J. E. Entz and Rev. D. J. Unruh officiating. A mixed octet sang hymns chosen by the deceased.

The Mennonite obituary: 1952 Jan 15 p. 47