Klassen, Mary (1899-1979)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1979 June 22 p. 30

Birth date: 1899 Nov 06

text of obituary:

MARY KLASSEN

Mary Klassen of Sardis, B.C. passed away on April 16. She was born to John and Martha Klassen on November 6, 1899 in Friedensfeld, South Russia. In 1907 her parents immigrated to Canada, but left Mary in Russia to be treated for an eye disease. She spent her early school years with her grandparents, joining her parents in Borden, Saskatchewan at the age of thirteen. In 1915, at evangelistic services conducted by David Ewert of Herbert, Sask. she gave her life to the Lord, and was baptized the same year by her grandfather. In 1920 she moved to the United States, living and working in various places before settling in Fresno, California. In 1964 she decided to move back to Canada, where she would be closer to relatives. She was a member of the Greendale MB Church in Sardis, B.C. until her death.

Mary was impressed with the knowledge of God's renewing power; "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind" (Isa. 65:17) . She leaves to mourn three sisters: Olga (Mrs. D.) Thiessen and Agatha of Vancouver, and Henrietta of Greendale, B.C.; three brothers: John of Chilliwack, B.C., George of Greendale, B.C., and David of Texas. The funeral service was held at the Greendale Mennonite Brethren Church, with David Froese officiating.