Claassen, Ted E. (1908-2000)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2000 Mar 30 p. 10

Birth date: 1908 Aug 27

text of obituary:

TED E. CLAASSEN

Ted E. Claassen, 91, of Newton, Kan., died March 10, 2000, at Newton Medical Center. He was born Aug. 27, 1908, in Newton to Cornelius F. and Marie (Ensz) Claassen. On June 10, 1933, he married Helen Yergler at First Mennonite Church in Newton. They celebrated 58 years together before Helen's death in 1991.

Ted graduated from Newton High School in 1926 and from Bethel College with a degree in mathematics in 1930. He worked for seven years at Claassen Investment and Loan Co. in Newton before leaving for Europe in 1940. He served with Mennonite Central Committee doing relief work during World War II. On his return he joined his brother, C. W., at the Kansas State Bank, a business established by their father. He continued there until his retirement in 1970.

Civic participation included Newton Chamber of Commerce, Bethel Hospital Board, Et Cetera Board, Kansas Bankers Association and Kansas Republican Committee.

Ted's life centered on Christian endeavors, including serving First Mennonite Church as deacon, Sunday school superintendent, church chairman and men's Sunday school class teacher. He was a founder and later chairman of the Newton Bible Conference. He was a member of Gideons International for more than 50 years. His travels usually had a Christian purpose, and he attended many conferences, including all except three of the Mennonite World Conferences and many General Conference Mennonite conferences. His passion was to be involved in the activity of the church. This had an influence on the lives of his children, all of whom made decisions to follow Jesus early in life.

He was challenged by his father to read through the Bible. Upon completion, he received his first car, a Model T Ford, for his reward. This began a long fascination and love anything to do with cars.

Survivors include two sons, David W. and his wife Delores of Denver, and Charles of Liberty, Mo.; two daughters, Naomi Claassen McElroy of Liberty, and Mary Ann and her husband Gary Franz of Newton; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.