Claassen, Elsie Elizabeth (1908-2012)

Mennonite World Review obituary: 2012 Apr 2 p. 19

Birth date: 1908 Sep 29

Text of obituary:

Elsie E. Claassen

Elsie Elizabeth Claassen, 103, of Whitewater, Kan., died March 19, 2012. She was born Sept. 29, 1908, to John and Elisabeth (Thierstein) Claassen. She was the elder born of twins.

She graduated from Whitewater High School in 1926. She accepted Christ as her Savior as a youth, was baptized and became a member of Emmaus Mennonite Church in 1926, where she remained a faithful member until her death.

She married Henry Claassen on March 10, 1932. They celebrated their 74th anniversary just prior to his death in 2006.

She started making wedding cakes in 1949 and finally ended her creations in 1984 with the cake for her granddaughter Denise. She served her church in various ways, teaching Sunday school, playing organ, as Sunday school secretary, in the 75th anniversary, 90th anniversary and centennial planning committees, teaching Bible school and as church statistician. She served her community with the Home Demonstration Unit, helping women learn homemaking skills. Her garden produced a bounty, and she canned many quarts of food. She raised chickens for laying eggs, which she sold.

In 2003 she moved to Wheat State Manor in Whitewater.

Survivors include a daughter, Wynona Entz; a son, Alvin Claassen and his wife, Elaine; 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by six sisters, eight brothers, a son-in-law and a grandson-in-law.