Claassen, H. Albert (1883-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Apr 1 p. 6

Birth date: 1883 Feb 1

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Apr 15 p. 9

text of obituary:

<h>H. ALBERT CLAASSEN

H. Albert Claassen was born Feb. 1, 1883, the son of Peter and Anna Claassen, nee Wiebe, near the village of Gross Lichtenau, West Prussia, Germany. He had the blessing of being born of godly parents who led him to reverance [sic] and love God from his earliest days. During his third year of school, 1892, his family migrated to the United States to avoid the aspects of military training.

The Lord revealed to him His redeeming grace through faith in Jesus Christ in early adolescent years. He was baptized in the Mennonite church of Beatrice, Neb. on May 27, 1900, by Elder Gerhard Penner. Soon the Lord further laid His hand on him with a call to enter the Christian ministry and he took his seven years of preparation in Bethel College and White Seminary of New York City.

A beautiful lifelong relationship was begun on Sept. 26, 1912, when he was joined in marriage to Catherine Andreas. Although the Lord withheld from them the blessing of children by their own blood, He led two homeless children into their own home and service, and together they enjoyed many blessed experiences.

After his ordination into the Christian ministry, their first charge of Christian service was among the Cheyenne Indians in the Cantonment field in Oklahoma which lasted for a period of eight years. He then taught for one year at the Meno Bible Academy in Oklahoma and for one year at Hesston College in Kansas.

They received a call to serve the small Mennonite congregation at Los Angeles in 1922. While there they established the Immanuel Mennonite church and gave to it a devoted service for ten years. He often referred to this as the high point in his life's work. In 1933 they went to Portland, Oregon and served in the Mennonite mission there for two years. The Salem-Zion church of Freeman, South Dakota extended a call to them in 1935 and here they gave another seven years of faithful service.

In 1942 they came to Beatrice with the intention of retiring and transferred their membership to the Beatrice Mennonite church. He was still called upon to serve as supply pastor for short periods of time in the Beatrice Mennonite church, in the Oklahoma mission field, and as field representative for Freeman Junior College. In 1947 he was asked to serve in the mission in Toronto, Canada, and here they spent the last two years of their active ministry.

In August 1952, it was necessary for him to undergo an operation and despite medical care his health gradually failed. In July 1953, due to the failing health of Mrs. Claassen, they moved to the Bethel Home for the Aged in Newton, Kansas. Although he was bedfast only the last few weeks of his life, he suffered much and the failing health of his beloved wife caused him great concern. In all this he was extremely patient and found much strength and grace in the Lord. He passed away peacefully on March 26, 1954, at the age of 71 years.

Besides his wife Catherine, he is survived by a son Elmer and daughter-in-law Neva of Newton, a daughter Esther and son-in-law Rueben Friesen of Henderson, five grandchildren, two brothers, Henry of Beatrice, and William, and many other relatives and friends.

Near the close of his life he wrote the following: "The years of our ministry have been filled with grace and joy from above. We thank Him for every opportunity to be His witnesses to lost souls and to the Church of believers. Conscious and deeply humbled by many a fall and failure due to my sinful nature I humbly praise Him for His forgiveness and restoring mercy. I wish to leave my final testimony in and of this earthly life in words of Mrs. C. H. Morris:

"I've anchored my soul in the Haven of rest;
I've pillowed my head on my dear Saviour's breast;
I'm trusting His promise of mercy so free;
Fear not for my grace is sufficient for thee."