Klassen, Frank H. (1886-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Jun 8 p. 6

Birth date: 1886 Dec 25

text of obituary:

. . .

— Frank H. Klassen, 74, father of Miss Adelia Klassen, the Review's office secretary, died early Monday at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital after an illness of about two years. Funeral services were held Wednesday forenoon at the First Mennonite Church, with Rev. Arnold Epp officiating. A native of the Canton community and a retired carpenter, Mr. Klassen had lived in the Newton vicinity since 1919. His wife, the former Katherine R. Krause, died in 1951. Surviving in addition to his daughter of the home is another daughter, Mrs. Johnnie Bartel of Hillsboro, and also three brothers and four grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Jun 29 p. 8

text of obituary:

FRANK H. KLASSEN

Frank H. Klassen, son of John P. and Sarah Heinrichs Klassen, was born Dec. 25, 1886,near Canton, Kansas. He had a happy childhood, often relating incidents of happy playtime with cousins and friends.

In the year 1893, he went with his parents and their family to live in Texas, where the family lived through the terrible hurricane which swept walls of water from the Gulf over the newly settled area. Several of the neighbors lost their lives in the storm, but the Klassen family was graciously spared.

When the came back to Kansas, discouraged, they settled in Lehigh, where Frank attended school, When grown to manhood he took up farming. He heard the voice of the Lord calling him but could not surrender his life, which seemed so good and carefree, to the Savior of his soul. But the prayers of his mother, grandmother and relatives followed him until in the year 1918, he surrendered his life at the foot of the cross and fully accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour, whom he served faithfully to the end.

On Sept. 8 of that year he was baptized upon the confession of his faith and received as a member into the Lehigh Mennonite Church. Later he transferred his membership to the First Mennonite Church of Newton, where he remained a faithful member. He served the Lord faithfully in his quiet way, as best he could.

On July 27, 1919, he married Katherine R. Krause. To this union two daughters, Adelia and Myrta, were born. In 1944 the parents were permitted to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, w2hich was a source of much joy to the couple and their children.

He took up the carpenter trade as his life's work, always being very conscientious about the work he did, and was well liked by his superiors. During his retirement years his great love of gardening helped him pass many lonely hours.

He was a kind and loving father and faithful husband, regretting only that he could not serve the Lord better. Throughout his last days he often expressed the hope of renewed health and strength so that he might shorten the lonely hours of others with words of encouragement, such as he experienced during his most recent trials.

Since the passing of mother in 1951 he had the constant care and companionship of his eldest daughter, Adelia. The times spent with his other daughter, husband and grandchildren were always a source of great joy.

On Monday morning, June 5, his deep faith in his loving Savior was rewarded by being called to his heavenly Home.

His life will continue to be cherished by his two daughters, Adelia of the home, Myrta and husband, Johnnie Bartel of Hillsboro, and four grandchildren, Ronald, Marlin, Douglas and Kathleen Bartel; also three brothers, Pete H. and Abe H. of Newton, and Jake H. of Elbing; and a host of relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, two brothers, John and George, and one sister Katie, Mrs. Henry Nuss.

The funeral was held June 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the First Mennonite Church with Rev. Arnold Epp officating interment was in the Greenwood cemetery at Newton.

The Mennonite obituary: 1961 Aug 1 p. 493