Claassen, Catherine A. Andreas (1879-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 12 Jan 1956 p. 8

Birth date: 1879

text of obituary:

MRS. H. ALBERT CLAASSEN

Catherine A. Claassen was born on Dec. 11, 1879, at Beatrice, Neb. the daughter of the late Wilhelm Andreas and Catherine Claassen Andreas. She attended district school and the Mennonite parochial school where she received instruction under Rev. J. K. Penner. She received further training at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she attended for two years.

Mrs. Claassen was baptized upon confession of faith in Christ on May 25, 1896. She loved her Saviour dearly and from youth she served Him faithfully.

Mrs. Claassen was the widow of the late Rev. H. Albert Claassen whom she married on Sept. 26, 1912. The marriage was performed by Rev. Gerhard Penner.

Catherine Claassen and her husband served as missionaries among the Cheyenne Indians in Oklahoma for seven years. They also served churches in Los Angeles, Calif.; Portland, Oregon, and Freeman, South Dakota during their years of active ministry in the Mennonite Church. In later years they also filled several temporary positions under the Mission Board of the General Conference Mennonite Church. Mrs. Claassen was a very gifted individual and greatly used of the Lord in the various places that she served with her husband. She always had a radiant testimony for Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband, who passed away on March 26, 1954, a brother, William C. Andreas, and an adopted child, Carl, who died at an early age. She is survived by two adopted children, Elmer of McCook, Neb., and Mrs. Ruben Friesen of Henderson, Neb. and six grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her passing a brother, John P. Andreas, and a sister, Anna Andreas of Beatrice.

Mrs. Claassen lived a normal life until her seventieth year. Since then she had suffered much physical stress and mental anguish. She became bedfast on Feb. 3, 1954. During this time she found much courage and strength through prayer and the reading of Scripture. During the last several months of her earthly sojourn she received loving care in the home of Ruben and Esther Friesen where she passed away on the morning of Dec. 22, 1955.

During the closing years and months of her life, she spoke much about the blessed hope of heaven and expressed a deep longing to go Home to be with her Saviour. This great desire has now become a reality and she has entered her final rest where she dwells with her Lord.