Claassen, Louis J. (1915-2000)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2000 Feb 10 p. 11

Birth date: 1915 Sep 14

text of obituary:

LOUIS J. CLAASSEN

Louis J. Claassen of Paso Robles, Calif., died Dec. 20, 1999, at home. He was 84.

Louis was born in Whitewater, Kan., Sept. 14, 1915, to Edward and Catherina Claassen. He was one of 13 children. At age 19 he was baptized and became a member of Swiss Mennonite Church.

After high school he traveled with several friends in a Model T to Los Angeles to attend the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. There he met Ruth Quenzer of Estrella, Calif. They were married Dec. 30, 1937. Louis and Ruth were married 10 days short of 62 years.

They farmed for about eight years in Kansas, but after being hit by a tornado, which destroyed their house, they moved to California. He worked in Paso Robles as a manager of the Farmers Alliance retail store for nearly 25 years and was self employed in woodworking for nearly 14 years. In retirement he worked part-time for H&R Block for eight years, delivered meals to seniors, volunteered to do yard work for the church and pre-school, and served as surrogate grandpa to many children.

His primary passion was sharing the love of Jesus. He taught Sunday School nearly every year after high school. He sang in the church choir, quartets, Mennonite Central Committee men’s chorus, and may [sic] other groups. He held many offices in the church and died still serving as a deacon. He was chair of the California Fellowship when Camp Keola was purchased. He was treasurer for the Pacific District Conference Mennonite Men for more than 20 years.

He was devoted to his family. After they left home he encouraged many family gatherings, and each included a devotional time.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; three sons, Elwin and his wife LaVonne, Jerry and his wife Janet, and Ron and his wife Roxanne; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; eight brothers, Henry, Walter, David, Orlando, Curt, Donald, Daniel and Melvin; and a sister, Marie Stucky. He was preceded in death by a brother, Eddie, and two sisters, Catherine Schroeder and Agnes Claassen.