Klassen, Rudolph (1899-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 May 11 p. 2, 6

Birth date: 1899 Aug 23

text of obituary:

RUDOLPH KLASSEN

Rudolph Klassen was born to George and mary Klassen on Aug. 23, 1899, at Inman, kansas. With his parents he moved to medford, Okla. where he spent his youth and received his education.

At the age of twenty he left home and lived in different states. Later he moved to Springfield, Colorado. Here mr. klassen was employed at a hardware store. He was well thought of and had many friednds in the Springfield community.

He was twelve years old when his father preceded him in death.

On Sunday morning, April 23, 1950, he with another man went fishing on a hugh [sic} reservoir near Springfield, Colorado. He and his partner anchored their raft near the swift current. The reservoir apparently was being drained for irrigation. The anchor would not hold and the rubber raft was demolished. The other party was rescued and pulled to shore by another fishing crew. Mr. Klassen was hurled underneath the pond. The currennt kept him near the water gate for several hours. The body was rescued a few hours later and taken to medford, Okla. for burial.