Klassen, Maria Walde (1913-2003)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2003 Jun 13 p. 28

Birth date: 1913 Jun 3

text of obituary:

MARIA KLASSEN

Maria Klassen died Apr. 4. She was born to Jakob and Elizabeth Walde June 3, 191 3 in Slavgorod, Russia. Her mother died when Maria was 6; 5 siblings died in Russia. In 1929 Maria, 2 sisters and their father moved to Paraguay. In 1932 she was baptized and joined Fernheim MB Church. In 1934 she married Johann Klassen. They farmed. In 1951 they moved to Brazil for health reasons, settling on a dairy farm in Guarituba. In 1961 they moved to St. Catharines, Ont., joining Scott St. MB Church. Maria worked in a cannery and on the farm. In 1994 they moved to Tabor Manor, St. Catharines. Predeceased by Johann in 1994, I son in infancy, 1 grandson, 6 brothers and 3 sisters, she is mourned by sons John, Ernie, Gerhard, Jacob, David, AI, Henry; daughters Mary, Anne and Elfriede; 30 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 8 in Scott st. MB Church with Patrick Bartley and Victor Loewen ministering.