Klaassen, Maria Jantzen (1872-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Aug 3 p. 6

Birth date: 1872 Dec 31

text of obituary:

MARIA KLAASSEN

Mrs. Maria (Jantzen) Klaassen was born December 31, 1872, in South Russia, in the village Gnadenfeld. At the age of five she came to America with her parents, Franz and Gertrude (Penner) Jantzen, and settled near Hillsboro, Kans. Here she spent her youth and received her education.

On Jan. 11, 1891, she was baptized by Rev. J. S. Hirschler and received into the Mennonite church at Hillsboro. On Jan. 20, 1892, she was joined in holy matrimony by Rev. J. S. Hirschler with Peter A. Klaassen. This union lasted 47 years, three months and 21 days. In 1917 the parents erected an Ebenezer and celebrated their silver anniversary.

Their union was blessed with 17 children. Three of these preceded her in death. She leaves six sons and eight daughters, five daughters-in-law and seven sons-in-law. One daughter-in-law, Mrs. A. P. J. Klaassen and two sons- in-law, David B. Klaassen and H. D. Wiebe, and 12 grandchildren preceded her in death. She also leaves to mourn her death 52 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

By the grace of God our parents found salvation in the blood of Jesus in 1900 and were baptized on April 8 upon confession of their faith by Elder Henry A. Wiebe and joined the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren church. In 1911 they united with the M. B. church at Hillsboro.

In 1918 they moved to Beaver Flat, Sask. Here they had many happy days as well as sad hours. In 1939 it pleased our Heavenly Father to take our father from mother's side. This left her very lonely but she could say, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord,” and took her refuge in the Lord Jesus who had promised never to leave nor forsake His own. She was a praying mother who loved, cared and prayed for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Often at midnight we would hear our mother pray.

The fellowship of God’s children was always a great blessing to her. After father’s death she often suffered of erysipelas, but with the help of God and the doctor she always recovered. She was always under the doctor's care. On June 3 she suffered a fractured leg. When she realized this it gave her a hard battle. But God gave grace to bear this infirmity. She was taken to the Swift Current Union hospital where she was well taken care of until her passing. The Lord was especially near to her during this time. He gave her much grace in suffering. Oft she would repeat Scripture and Gospel Hymns, which were a consolation to her. With courage she looked forward to the time when she would be permitted to go to her home again.

After a few weeks complications set in. On July 7, at 3 o'clock the afternoon, she suffered a stroke which paralyzed her right side, leaving her speechless and unable to recognize us. Often she would open her eyes and look upward, beckoning with her left hand and smiling. She was unconscious until the end came on July 10 at 5:30 a. m., when she went to with the Lord.

She attained the age of 77 years, six months and 10 days. As long as she was at home she was tenderly cared for by her children, the P. P. Dycks and Daniel W. Klaassens.

Beside her immediate family, she leaves to mom her departure three brothers, F. F. Jantzen, Paso Robles, Calif., who was present at the funeral services; D. F. Jantzen, Peoria, Ariz., and H. P. Jantzen of Newton, Kansas, two sisters, Mrs. G. F. Friesen, Lehigh, Kans., and Mrs. B. A. Classen, Paso Robles, Calif. and a host of relatives and friends.

The surviving children are: Maria, Mrs. J. H. Lohrenz, Shamshabad, India; Helen, Mrs. D. R. Ewert, Main Centre, Sask.; Frank J. and Rudolf J. Klaassen, Weatherford, Okla., Albert J., Paul J. and Daniel W. Klaassen, Beaver Flat, Sask.; Abraham P. J. Klaassen, Main Centre, Sask.; Gertrude. Mrs. H. D. Wiebe, Reedley. Calif.; Martha, Mrs. A. A. Nickel, Abbotsford, B. C.; Anna, Mrs. P. P. Dyck, Beaver Flat, Sask.; Esther, Mrs. Gottlieb Janz, Main Centre, Sask.; Margaret, Mrs. Jake I. Regehr, Wymark, Sask.; and Lydia, Mrs. Eugene Martens, Leinan, Sask.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Oct 26 p. 6

text of obituary:

MRS. MARIA KLAASSEN

Mrs. Maria Jantzen Klaassen was born Dec. 31, 1872, in South Russia in the village Gnadenfeld. When she was five years old she came to America with her parents, Frantz [sic Franz] and Gertrude Penner Jantzen, and settled near Hillsboro, Kans. Here she spent her youth and received her education.

On Jan. 11, 1891, she was baptized by Rev. J. S. Hirshler and received into the Mennonite church at Hillsboro, Kans.

On Jan. 20, 1892, she was joined in holy matrimony by Rev. J. S. Hirshler with Peter A. Klaassen. This union lasted 47 years, three months and 21 days. In the year 1917 they erected an Ebenezer and celebrated their silver wedding anniversary.

This union was blessed with 17 children, three of whom preceded her in death. She leaves six sons and eight daughters, five daughters-in-law and seven sons-in-law. One daughter-in-law, Sister A. P. J. Klaassen, two sons-in-law, David B. Klassen and H. D. Wiebe, and 12 grandchildren preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn 52 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

By the grace of God the parents found salvation in the blood of Jesus Christ in 1900 and were baptized April 8 upon the confession of their faith, by Elder Henry A. Wiebe, and joined the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren church. In 1911 they united with the M. B. church at Hillsboro, Kans.

In 1918 they moved to Beaver Flat, Sask. Here they had many happy days as well as sad hours. In 1939 it pleased our heavenly Father to take her husband from her side. This left her very lonely but she could say. "Have Thine Own Way. Lord."

She was a praying mother who loved, cared and prayed for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Often at midnight we would hear her pray as she was on her knees wrestling with God for the salvation of her loved ones. We know of no time when her hands were not busy. Where there was a need she was always ready to help.

After her husband's death she often suffered from erysipelas, but with the help of God and the doctor she always recovered. She was always under the doctor’s care. As long as she was at home, she was tenderly cared for by her children, the P. P. Dycks and Daniel W. Klaassens

On June 3, she suffered a fractured leg. When she realized this it gave her a hard battle, but God gave her grace to bear this infirmity. She was taken to the Swift Current Union hospital where she was well taken care of until her passing.

The Lord was especially near to her during this time, and He gave her much grace in suffering. After a few weeks, complications set in. God gave grace to submit herself to Him of whom she said, “He is always near me, I am not alone.” The song, “In God I have Found Refuge and Rest.” and Psalm 73:23 and 24 were a solace to her.

On July 7 she suffered a stroke which paralized [sic] her right side. She was unconscious until the end came July 10 at 5:30 a. m., when she went to be with the Lord. She was released from all suffering and entered into the heavenly rest where she is waiting for us. She attained the age of 77 years, six months and 10 days.

Besides her immediate family she leaves to mourn her departure three brothers: F. F. Jantzen of Paso Robles, Calif., who was present at the funeral service, D. F. Jantzen of Peoria, Ariz., H. P. Jantzen of Newton, Kans.; two sisters. Mrs. G. F. Friesen of Lehigh, Kans., and Mrs. B. A. Classen of Paso Robles, Calif., and a host of relatives and friends.

Members of the immediate family who survive are: Maria, Mrs. J. H. Lohrenz, Shamshabad, India; Helen, Mrs. D. R. Ewert, Main Centre, Sask.; Frank J. and Rudolf J. Klaassen, Weatherford, Okla.; Albert J., Paul J. and Daniel W. Klaassen, Beaver Flat, Sask.; Abraham P. J. Klaassen, Main Centre, Sask.; Gertrude, Mrs. H. D. Wiebe, Reedley, Calif.; Martha, Mrs. A. A. Nickel, Abbotsford, B. C.: Anna, Mrs. P. P. Dyck, Beaver Flat, Sask.; Esther, Mrs. Gotlieb Janz, Main Centre, Sask.; Margaret, Mrs. J. I. Regier, Wymark, Sask.; Lydia, Mrs. Eugene Martens, Leinan, Sask. — The Family.