Klassen, Isaac (1917-2000)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 2000 Oct 6 p. 29

Birth date: 1917 May 8

text of obituary:

ISAAC KLASSEN

Isaac Klassen of Virgil, Ont. passed away June 18 following a severe stroke. He was born May 8, 1917 to Johann and Maria Klassen in Rosengart, Chortitza, Ukraine, the youngest of 18 children. In 1923 the family moved to Kronsweide. He attended school when teachers were available. He married Elizabeth Niebuhr Krueger in 1939. During World War II, they moved in with her parents in Einlage. In 1943 they fled to Poland. In 1944 he was forced to take military training and was sent to the front. He escaped to the American Zone, then to Germany. He was reunited with his family Christmas Eve 1945. He rededicated his life to the Lord and was baptized. In 1948 they moved to Canada, settling in the Niagara area of Ontario. They joined Virgil MB Church. After retiring, he spent much time helping others. After Elizabeth died in 1985, he did short-term work for MDS in the US, sent containers of clothing and medicine to Russia and Brazil and helped new families in the area get settled. In 1989 he married Eleonore Reimer. He is mourned by Eleonore; children Harry, John, Margaret, Art and Alvin; 7 stepchildren and their families; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. The funeral was June 22 in Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, with Victor Loewen and John Klassen ministering.