Klassen, Peter William (1897-1977)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Jan 06 p. 23

Birth date: 1897 Feb 24

text of obituary:

PETER WILLIAM KLASSEN

Peter William Klassen was born on Febuary 24, 1897 in the village of Ignatjevka in the Ukraine, the second of ten children of Wilhelm and Katharina (nee Unger) Klassen. After a general education he also attended Bible school. In 1920 he married Margaretha Rempel. They had one child, William, who was born in 1921.

The Klassens moved to Canada in 1926, settling in Winkler, Man., where Mr. Klassen completed his Bible studies and was able to do personal work and lay preaching. But in 1935 he became ill and as a result suffered from depression, which in some measure lingered for many years. He was still able to do carpenter work and to start a construction business with his son Bill, first in Winkler and later in Regina, Estevan and Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Early in 1958 his wife died. Later in that year he married a widow, Katherine Wiebe, who had four sons. In 1962 they moved to Toronto.

In the last years, Mr. Klassen's physical health began to fail. The last three months of his life he spent in hospitals. Here he experienced a complete spiritual recovery, coming to full peace and joy. On November 11, with his wife at his side, he quietly went to be with the Lord. He is survived by his wife, Katherine; one son, William, with his wife; four stepsons and their wives; 19 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, who all dearly loved their grandpa.