Klassen, Peter Cornelius (1934-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 Aug 22 p. 30

Birth date: 1934 Nov 27

text of obituary:

PETER KLASSEN

Peter Cornelius Klassen was born on November 27,1934 at Coulter, Manitoba, the youngest of a family of six. Shortly after his birth the family moved to the Boissevain, Man. area.

His school days were generally happy and carefree and he seemed to find friends wherever he went.

He became a Christian at an early age and was baptized and accepted as a member of the Boissevain Mennonite Brethren church He attended the Winkler Bible School for two years.

Following his studies at Bible school Peter was united in marriage to Lillian Dyck of Winkler, Manitoba. God blessed the marriage with six lovely children whose ages ranged from 17 to 3.

Peter followed in the footsteps of his father and took up residence on the family farm. He was quite enterprising and ambitious. However, he was never too busy to stop and help a neighbor.

Peter and Lillian were active members the Boissevain church where Peter served as assistant and leader for a year. They rededicated their lives during a spiritual revival that came to the Boissevain church .

In the summer of 1973 Peter and Lillian made a major decision that was to affect the rest of their lives. They decided to move to Vancouver for three weeks to study at Regent College on a trial basis. Both Peter and Lillian had made the decision to leave the farm and devote the rest of their lives to some full time service for the Lord. As Peter had not completed all of his high schoool studies, he embarked upon this venture with some trepidation.

Following the summer at Regent College they returned to the farm at Boissevain to complete the harvest operations and make plans for a permanent move to a new phase of life.

They moved to Vancouver in the fall of 1973 and took up residence in the Richmond area. They were very happy to belong to Richmond Bethel church and spoke very highly of the fellowship they experience there.

During their first year in Vancouver Peter continued his studies at Regent College. The last year he studied at Northwest Baptist Seminary.

Peter was endowed with a pleasant nature and a good sense of humour. He had a way of making people feel good and was able to minister to the needs of many because of this.

During his years on the farm he was often thrilled with the sense of power as he operated huge machines on the rolling hills of his farm. However, in his last years he was even more thrilled with the power of the Holy Spirit as it moved and transformed the lives of people.

On July 5, 1975, Peter, Lillian and the entire family left on a holiday trip to Manitoba. On July 15, when they were within several hours of their home, the Lord took the entire family to himself.

Peter was predeceased by his mother and father in 1968 and 1969 respectively. He leaves to mourn on his side his brother John and wife Alma of Calgary, his brother Neil and wife Laura of Brandon, his sister Margaret and her husband Jake Toews of Richmond; his brother Bill and wife Susan of Winnipeg; and his brother Henry and wife Agnes of Calgary.

The Peter Klassen Family The triumphant notes of "The King is Coming," sung by a large choir made up of people from Richmond, B.C., and Boissevain, Man., filled the auditorium to set the tone for the funeral services for the Peter Klassen family, victims of B.C.'s worst traffic accident.

Over 600 friends and relatives crowded the auditorium of the Richmond Bethel Mennonite Brethren Church on July 21, to pay tribute to the Klassen family. Among them were officials of the Richmond municipal council and school board. Mayor Blair, in a letter to the relatives, expressed condolences from the council and stated that this tragedy was a loss for the entire community.

The Klassen family had moved to Richmond, B.C., two years ago to enable Peter to pursue studies in preparation for full time ministry.

The Klassens were beloved by all in the congregation and active in every aspect of church life. Peter was chairman of the Board of Worship, and also a charter member of the Gideons. Lillian sang in the Ladies Chorus. Both taught Sunday school. On August 17, Peter and Lillian were to be ordained to the diaconate ministry.

Music was a very vital part of the family. The song, "The King is Coming," was a favorite of Peter and of Lillian, an especially gifted pianist. A favorite of Lillian's, "Because He Lives," was sung by the Ladies Chorus at the close of the funeral service.

Pastor Herbert Brandt and Rev. Art Martens, both of Richmond Bethel, officiated at the funeral service.