Claassen, John (1889-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Jan 27 p. 8

Birth date: 1889 Feb 2

text of obituary:

JOHN CLAASSEN

John Claassen was born in Germany on Feb. 2, 1888 to Jacob and Anna Claassen. They came to live in America when he was eight months old, settling near Beatrice, Nebr. When he was eight years of age the Claassens came to California and settled on the Godfrey Ranch near the Naclemento [sic Naclemiento] River, west of Paso Robles. In 1913 they moved to Willow Creek.

He was baptized upon confession of his faith in 1906 by Rev. F. F. Jantzen. On Oct. 21, 1920 he married Helen Dueck. To this union were born two daughters and one son: Hildegarde [sic Hildegard] (Mrs. Herbel Scantlin) and Marjorie (Mrs. Robert Thimm), both of Paso Robles, and Louis of Morro Bay.

Bro. Claassen had been suffering from asthma for a number of years, which however did not keep him from going about his work, nor from attending the Sunday worship services regularly.

On Monday night shortly after midnight he awoke because of chest pains. Recurrence in the early morning necessitated a call to the doctor, who advised that he be brought to the hospital immediately. He and his wife came to the hospital about 5 a.m. and Mr. Claassen feld [sic] better when he had received an injection for pain, but passed away soon after from a heart attack.

He is survived by his widow; four brothers, Gustav, William, Gerhard, Bernhard; and two sisters, Elise Fast of Paso Robles and Mrs. John Jantzen of Elbing, Kan.; the children and 14 grandchildren.