Klassen, Ruth Helen Thiessen (1929-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 May 21 p. 25

Birth date: 1929 Feb 11

text of obituary:

RUTH HELEN KLASSEN

Ruth Helen Klassen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Apr. 2 of cancer. She was born Feb. 11, 1929 to Franz C. and Margarethe Thiessen in Rosthern, Sask. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1932 and to Abbots- Tri-City Chinese Christian Church in Coquitlam, S.c. held an ordination service for pastor lam Man Fung on March lOin the presence of his family, friends and the congregation. Sorn and eUIUUlleu in Hong Kong, lam came to Canada in 2000 to pastor the Tri-City .churct).t-fe diagnosed with liver cancer on March 26, and underwent surgery and radiation ther- apy. His speedy recovery surprised the medical staff and ··defied · common prognoses for liver cancer patients. He returned to his regular pas- duties, but after about three months of health, his condition deteriorated. In Feb- 2002, Tri-City Chinese Christian Church de- to ordain lam. With the approval of the S.c. MS Conference, the ordination service was scheduled for March 10. He was admitted to stabili.zed long enough for the ordination service to be ford in 1943. She ac- cepted Christ at 10 and was baptized Aug. 5, 1945, joining South Abbotsford MB Church. She graduated from Mennonite Edu- cational Institute in 1947. She spent a year studying piano and a year at Normal School in Vancouver. She mar- ried Harold Klassen Aug. 25, 1951. They lived in Clearbrook, B.C. She worked hard to provide a caring home for her family. She showed love to her children and grand- children. She served God, her church and her community with music. She was a choir accompanist, piano teacher and church or- ganist. She sang in many choirs through- out her life and en- joyed attending all kinds of concerts. She was adventurous and loved to travel. Cancer was diagnosed in Oc- tober 2000. She lived graciously and coura- geously to the end, confident in God's lov- ing presence. Prede- ceased by Harold and 3 sisters, she is moumed by children Irene Friesen, Rita, Randy, and Lorri Rat- zlaff; 8 grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The memorial service was held Apr. 5 in Bak- erview MB Church, Ab- botsford, with Ross johnston, Henry Thiessen and Michael Dick ministering.