Classen, Dietrich John (1877-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Mar 27 p. 10

Birth date: 1877 Apr 25

DIETRICH JOHN CLASSEN

Dietrich John Classen was born on April 20, 1877, in Kuban, Russia to Mr. and Mrs. John Classen. The family came to America in 1884 and settled near Hillsboro, Kansas. In 1894 the parents moved to Fairview, Okla. Here Dietrich stayed with his sister Mrs. Isaac Neufeld, to go to school.

While at Fairview he attended revival meetings in the Baptist church. The Lord touched his heart and he found forgiveness of his sins. On Feb. 24, 1895, he was baptized by Rev. Cornelius Grunau and was received into the Mennonite Brethren church at Cooper, Okla. After this he attended Bible School at Buhler Kansas and then graduated from McPherson College in 1900.

He took part in a “land run" in the Cherokee Strip opened by the U. S. Government and was fortunate in securing 160 acres of land in Caddo county, Okla.

In 1901 he was united in holy matrimony with Miss Lena Duerksen of Hillsboro. Soon afterward they moved to Corn, Okla., where they both taught school at the newly established Corn Academy. In the summer months they both attended normal school at Weatherford, Okla.

In 1909 the D. J. Classen family moved to Lerdo, Calif., and a year later they bought a farm near Rosedale. Here they established a home in very trying years, but the Lord blessed them. They also had many church meetings and choir practices in this home and in time a Rosedale M. B. church was founded. He actively labored for his Lord and in the saving of souls until his health failed in 1946. His children, Henry and Selma Bartell, have leased his farm since then.

In August of 1951 our parents were privileged to celebrate their Golden Wedding day and praised the Lord for the many blessings He bestowed on them in times of sorrow and joy.

In December 1951 he became seriously ill and spent nine days in the hospital. The Lord gave grace that he was able to be at home for Christmas and he seemed to be improving. On Jan. 14, 1952 he re-entered the hospital, when his strength rapidly failed and he yearned to go to his heavenly home.

Medical science did all that could be done for alleviating pain, but the tremors were almost unbearable as they racked his body. At 5:30 in the evening of Feb. 23, 1952, a smile crossed his face, the eyelids fluttered down as his soul answered his Saviour’s last call. He reached the age of 74 years, 10 months and three days.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife Lena, who faithfully ministered to his needs until her health failed, and who then continued to sing to him many precious songs that he loved so much; his children, Menno and Betty Classen, John Classen, Jake and Lena Nord, Henry and Selma Bartell; grandchildren, Claude and Lula Gordon, James and Florence Dick, Ruben and Dorothy Bartell, Joe and Myrtle Nord, Clarence Lawson and Henry Lee Bartell, Chester and Vernon Classen, Ronnie, Linda, Judith and Gary Classen; four great grandchildren, Joe and Susan Nord, Philip Bartell and Judith Dick; a half-sister, Mrs. Sarah Nikkel.

One daughter Mrs. Esther Harmon, preceded him in death on Aug. 8, 1951.—The Bereaved Family.