Claassen, Agathe Louise Jantzen (1863-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Mar 20 p.9

Birth date: 1863 Dec 23

text of obituary:

AGATHE LOUISE CLAASSEN

This is the story of the life of our precious mother as she wrote it approximately 17 years ago.

"I was born on Dec. 23, 1863, at Nogatau, Elbing, West Prussia. My parents were Jacob and Marie Jantzen (nee Fast). I was the youngest of eight children, three of whom preceded me in death: my eldest sister Christine at the age of 20 years, my eldest brother Nathaniel of five years, and my next eldest sister Marie Auguste aged 29 years, the wife of Johann Wiens, and mother of Marie (Mrs. Henry Albrecht), Agnes, John, and Jacob Wiens of Germany.

"In the year of 1867 my parents sold their farm at Nogatau and moved to Clementfarhe. There I attended the school at Neukirch and later the Hohere Tochterschule at Elbing. In 1879, on the 8th of June, I was baptized upon the confession of my sins and faith, by the Elder of the Ellerwalder Church, Rev. Abraham Dyck.

"On August 28, 1883, I arrived in America, accompanied by my brother John Jantzen. We received a kind reception and hospitality in the home of our friends, the William Andreas family.

"On Oct. 30, 1884, I entered into holy wedlock with my beloved husband Jacob Claassen who preceded me in death. We founded our home on a farm southwest of Beatrice. Our marriage was blessed with thirteen children, of whom three preceded me in death, two in infancy and one daughter at the age of 25.

"In September 1914 we moved to Beatrice. Then in the year of 1930, the 30th of May, it was the Lord's will to remove my beloved husband and father of our children from our midst and cause a great void in our home. the Lord grant us a speedy reunion above in blessed Eternity."

Until his death in 1934, her brother John Jantzen made his home with her and later our cousin Anna Andreas became her faithful companion for 17 years. Her life was especially saddened by the tragic and sudden accidental death of our brother Jacob in July, 1941. However, she bore her cross and loneliness with Christian fortitude, always ready to give counsel and encouragement to all who needed it. Young and old were inspired by her simple faith and sparkling sense of humor.

When she became ill and feeble she required professional and more specific home care. In 1949, after she had become physically handicapped, her daughter Margarete assumed charge of her care and household, being assisted by faithful aides. She was bedfast for about a year and on February 13, 1952, her valiant fight was ended and submissively her spirit returned to its maker.

Verily, she has fought a good fight, she has finished her course, she has kept the faith. . . Henceforth, there is laid up for her a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give her on that day, and not to her only, but unto all them that love Him.

She attained the age of over 88 years, and leaves nine children and their families: John Peter and wife Justina, of Omaha, Nebr.; Aron N. and wife Helen, Menno and wife Sara of Beatrice; Theodore of Onida, So. Dakota; Rev. Daniel and wife Helen of Arthur, Nebr.; Margarete Goertz of Beatrice; Helene Anderson and husband Eric of Pacific Grove, Calif.; Catherine Penner and husband Waldo of Arkansas City, Kansas; Ruth Wiebe and husband John H. of Lincoln, Nebr.; and one daughter-in-law, Katharine, widow of Jacob B., of Beatrice.

In addition there are 29 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends who mourn her passing.

Verily, the memory of the just is blessed and their works do follow them.

Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite church of Beatrice on Feb. 18, 1952. Rev. H. Albert Claassen served at the Harmon Mortuary and Rev. A. W. Friesen and her son Rev. Daniel Claassen at the church. Solos were sung by her granddaughters Eleanor Claassen of Bethel College, who sang "Ach Mein Herr Jesu, Wenn Ich Dich Nicht Hatte" and Mary Katharine Claassen of Beatrice, who sang "So Nimm Denn Meine Hande, Und Fuhre Mich." A male quartet also rendered two of her favorite songs. Her grandsons Jacob D. Claassen, Alfred H. Claassen, Theodore V. Claassen, J. Richard Goertz, and Lyle Wiens and Willliam Hamm carried her to her last resting place beside her husband in the Mennonite Cemetery. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1952 Mar 11 p. 176