Klaassen, Katharina Janzen (1878-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Dec 4 p. 8

Birth date: 1878 May 4

text of obituary:

MRS. KATHERINA JANZEN KLASSEN [sic KATHARINA JANZEN KLAASSEN]

Mrs. Katherina Janzen Klassen [sic Katharina Janzen Klaassen], Dinuba, California, daughter of Henry Janzen and Katherina Gossen was born ih South Russia May 4, 1878. She departed from this world at the Dinuba Hospital November 17, 1958 to be with her Lord and Savior. She was 80 years old.

As an infant of 9 months, she came with her parents to the United States and lived her childhood days at Inman, Kansas. Here she received her elementary education and early religious instruction. She accepted Christ asher Savior and was baptized upon her confession of faith by the Rev. Dietrich Gaeddert June 7, 1897 and was received as a member in the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church. that same year she was also married to John B. Klassen [sic Klaassen] by the Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff.

Later they moved to Medford, Oklahoma and then to Syracuse, Kansas and in 1929 to the San Joaquin Valley of California, having lived most of that time in Dinuba. To this union were born 8 children. Maria died as a little child. Father Klassen [sic Klaassen] died in 1946. The parents joined the First Mennonite Church in Reedley in 1945.

Mother Klassen [sic Klaassen] was a very kind mother, exercising extreme patience at all times. She was a friend to everyone she met. She was a good disciple of Jesus Christ, who will also grant her the reward. Her favorite song was “God Is Love.”

She leaves to cherish her memory 5 sons: Adolph, Ulysses, Kansas; Herman, San Berdino [sic San Bernardino], Herbert, Kendall, Kansas; Elmer, Sacramento; Henry, Redwood City; 2 daughters: Lena, Mrs. Thomas Laisure, Wichita, Kansas; Hilda, Mrs. Arnold Wiens, Reedley, California; three sisters; Anna Janzen, Medford, Okla.; Mrs. Eva Janzen, Newton, Kansas; Marie, Mrs. George Regier, Inola, Okla.; four brothers: Cornelius, Medford, Okla.; 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren plus many friends and relatives.

Funeral services were held in the First Mennonite Church Nov. 20 at 2:00 p. m. Rev. Aaron Epp officiating. Text used was Psalm 73:25, 26. a trio, Mrs. Aaron Epp, Mrs. Alvin Friesen and Mrs. Victor Janzen sang “God Is Love” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Burial was in Reedley cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1958 Dec 9 p. 770