Klassen, Anna Regier (1898-1978)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Sept 15 p. 29

Birth date: 1898 Oct 18

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA KLASSEN

(Mrs.) Anna Klassen (nee Regier) of Vancouver went to be forever with the Lord on July 30, 1978. She was born in the Kuban region of Russia on October 18, 1898. When she was a girl of five her parents attempted to move to Canada and sold their farm and made arrangements in anticipation of the move. However, they were financially unable to do it; and instead moved to Siberia. Despite many physical and economic hard ships, Anna cherished many happy memories of her childhood and youth. On June 18, 1918 she was married to Frank Klassen. It was during the first year of their marriage that both accepted Christ as their personal Saviour, were baptized and received into the Mennonite Brethren Church. The Lord blessed them with eight children, three of whom died in infancy.

In 1929, the Klassens decided to emigrate from the Soviet Union, hoping to go to Canada. However, their way led via Moscow and Germany to Paraguay, where they found a new home. The pioneer years there were very difficult. In 1959, with one son, Isaac, they came to Canada. The beginnings here, too, were difficult. In 1970 her husband went to his reward. Anna continued in her own home for another five years and then moved into the Menno Court. Her childlike faith in God and confidence in his grace were an example to all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Isaac and Gertrude Klassen, Vancouver, Frank and Nujta Klassen and John and Mary Klassen of St. Catharines, Frank and Katherine Isaak, Richmond, B.C. and John and Liese Isaak of Clearbrook, B.C., 19 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many friends.