Klassen, Abram John (1926-2003)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Oct 6 p. 8

Birth date: 1926 Apr 12

text of obituary:

ABRAM JOHN KLASSEN

Abram John (A.J.) Klassen, 77, died July 15, 2003. He was born April 12, 1926, to John C. and Elizabeth (Martens) Klassen in Kamenez, Neu Samara, Russia.

Three months later the family immigrated to Canada. At age 14 he accepted Jesus as Savior, was baptized and received into the Mennonite Brethren Church. After graduating from Bible school in South Abbotsford, B.C., he was a high school teacher.

On Aug. 23, 1953, he married Betty Suderman at Matsqui (B.C.) Mennonite Brethren Church.

After being called into the preaching ministry, he attended and graduated from Goshen Biblical Seminary. While studying at Wheaton (Ill.) Graduate School, he pastored a small Baptist church in Elgin, Ill.

In 1962 he taught at Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute, now Columbia Bible College, in Clearbrook and preached at Matsqui MB Church. In 1965 he taught at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. He completed his doctoral work at Claremont Graduate School and taught at the seminary for 14 years. They moved back to Canada to pastor the King Road church in 1981. Later he and his wife went on some short-term mission assignments together.

He was a gifted storyteller with an amazing memory. He thrived on Church Partnership Evangelism & Discipleship assignments in India and Russia, preached occasionally at King Road and in-care facilities. During his final CPED mission to Neu Samara, in 2001, he celebrated his 75th birthday.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Betty; three daughters, Grace Klassen of Three Rivers, Calif., Esther Klassen-Isaak and her husband, Ken, of Fresno, Calif., Charlene Klassen Endrizzi and her husband, George, of New Wilmington, Pa., a son, Daniel and his wife, Rita, of Richmond, B.C.; four brothers, John, Neil, Peter and Bill; three sisters, Katherine Martens, Louise Willms and Anne Nickel; and four grandchildren.

Memorial services were held at King Road MB Church. Burial was in MacLure Road Cemetery.

Editor's Note: The following obituary is in the Mennonite Brethren Herald 2003 Oct 24 p. 25

ABRAM JOHN (A.J.)KLASSEN

Abram John (A.J .) Klassen died July 15. He was born Apr. 12, 1926 in Kamenez, Neu Samara, Russia to John C. and Elizabeth Klassen. The family immigrated to Alberta that year. He accepted Jesus as Saviour, was baptized and joined Lindbrook (Alta.) MB Church at age 14. He attended Bible school in Coaldale, Alta., and Abbotsford, B.C. He married Betty Suderman on Aug. 23, 1953 in Matsqui (B.C) MB Church. He took seminary studies in Goshen, Ind. and Wheaton, ilL, then taught at MB Bible Institute (now CBC) in Abbotsford. Beginning in 1965, he taught at MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Cal. for 14 years, returning to Abbotsford to pastor King Road MB Church. They also went on short-term mission assignments. He went on numerous Church Partnership Evangelism and Discipleship assignments to India and Russia. He was a gifted storyteller and together with Betty edited a number of books. He is mourned by Betty; daughters Grace Klassen of Three Rivers, CaL, Esther Klassen-Isaak of Fresno, CaL, Charlene Klassen Endrizzi of New Wilmington, Penn; son Daniel of Richmond, B.C.; 4 grandchildren; 4 brothers; 3 sisters. The funeral was July 19 in King Road MB Church.