Klassen, Abraham B. (1891-1964)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Aug 6 p. 11

Birth date: 1891 Apr 19

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM B. KLASSEN

Abraham B. Klassen, son of Peter and Katherine Eitzen Klassen, was born on April 19, 1891, at Hillsboro, Kan. Here he spent his early boyhood days, and then came with his family to California.

On Nov. 23, 1915, he was united in holy matrimony to Sarah Kroeker by the late Rev. D. C. Eitzen at Wasco, Calif. This union, which lasted 48 years, seven months and eight days, was blessed with three sons and one daughter. We made our first home on a farm in the Rosedale community. After this we moved to Inman, Kan. for a brief time. It was here that both of us recognized our lost condition and found salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. We were baptized upon our confession of faith and united with the Mennonite Brethren Church. We moved to Canada where we spent three years, and then returned to Rosedale, Calif.

In 1942 we moved to Reedley, Calif., where we have made our home on a farm until the present time. Our father fully trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for his personal salvation. In the last few years he has been bothered with a heart condition. Sunday afternoon, July 5, while visiting with his son in Fresno he suffered another attack. On July 6, 1964, he quietly slipped away to be with the Lord. He reached the age of 73 years, one month and 17 days.

Those who remain to mourn his departure are his wife, Mrs. Sarah Klassen of Dinuba; one daughter, Mrs. Edna Fincher of Bakersfield; three sons, Eldo and Ernest of Dinuba, and Ervin of Fresno; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three daughters-in-law; one son-in-law; six sisters-in-law; eight brothers-in-law; two brothers, Pete and Dan Klassen of Bakersfield; and two sisters, Marie, Mrs. Andrew Heiers of Bakersfield and Gertrude of Los Angeles.

The memorial service was held in the Mennonite Brethren Church of Reedley, with Rev. Dan Friesen officiating.