Klaassen, Paul J. (1906-1973)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 May 03 p. 29

Birth date: 1906 June 14

text of obituary;

PAUL J. KLAASSEN

Paul J. Klaassen was born in Hillsboro, Kansas on June 14, 1906, the eleventh of 17 children of Peter and Mary Klaassen . The family moved to Rush Lake, Sask. in 1918 and it was there that Paul received Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, was baptized by Rev. Frank Janzen and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church in 1922.

On November 22,1928 he married Susanna Penner, a union blessed with five boys and two girls, all of whom received Christ as their Saviour at an early age.

Mr. Klaassen farmed in Saskatchewan until 1961, when the family moved to Brooks, Alta. where he was employed in several different kinds of work until his retirement in 1971.

At Brooks the family very soon united with the Evangelical Free Church and became actively involved . Over the years of his membership in the Mennonite Brethren and Evangelical Free churches he served as usher, custodian, secretary and Sunday school teacher, and at the time of his passing was serving faithfully as deacon, which office he held for some years. He was respected and esteemed by people both inside and outside the church circle.

He passed away suddenly on November 21, 1973, on the eve of their forty-fifth wedding anniversary, at the age of 67 years. Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife Susanna of Brooks; four sons: Howard of Wetaskiwin, Alta., Rudolph and John of Rocky Mountain House, Alta., and Frank of Clearbrook, B.C.; two daught!'!rs: Edith and Maria of Brooks; six grandchildren; two brothers; five sisters. He was predeceased by one son, Ralph, in 1937.