Klassen, Edwin Theodore (1924-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Nov 23 p. 8

Birth date: 1924 Dec 5

text of obituary:

EDWIN THEODORE KLASSEN

Edwin Theodore Klassen, son of Theodore P. and the late Helena Buhler Klassen, was born on the farm in Cottonwood County, Mountain Lake Township, Minn. on Dec. 5, 1924, and departed to be with his Maker on Oct. 5, 1961, at 10:40 p.m., at the age of 36 years, 10 months.

He finished high school in Mountain Lake in 1943, attended Bethel College, North Newton, Kan., and spent several years at the University of Minnesota.

In his early youth he accepted the Lord as his Saviour and was baptized Aug. 18, 1940, by Rev. D. A. Regier and received into the Evangelical Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minn. After having lived in Minneapolis for some time, he transferred his membership to the Central Lutheran Church.

For health reasons, he changed from farming to business, going to Minneapolis to seek employment. After several years, he established a dry cleaning and laundry plant.

Since early July, 1961, he noticed his health was failing. Exploratory surgery was performed on Sept. 21. The doctors discovered cancer of such nature that they gave him but a short time to live.

The last evening at about 9 p.m. he stated that he wanted us to stay very close to him that night as he was very sick. Bidding us farewell he said, "Now pray that I may go peacefully and quietly." We prayed and it seemed as if God instantly removed all pain and he slipped away, quietly, clinging to our hands.

He is preceded in death by his mother who went to be with the Lord on Dec. 12, 1945.

He leaves to mourn, his father, step-mother, a sister, Martha, her husband, Rev. Elmer J. Friesen and children, missionaries to South America; a sister Anne, Fresno, Calif.; and a host of relatives and friends.

During his intense pain he often said how real his salvation was, and that shall be or comfort in the future. We mourn but not as those who have no hope. We shall see him again. — The Family.