Klassen, Helena Unger (1902-1974)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 Nov 01 p. 30

Birth date: 1902 Mar 02

text of obituary:

HELENA KLASSEN

On October 1, Mrs. Helena Klassen went home to be with her Lord, whom she had loved and trusted throughout her life on earth. She was born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Unger of South Russia on March 3, 1902. At the age of eight she moved with her parents to Siberia.

During her youth she accepted Christ as her personal Saviour and followed him in baptism in 1918. In 1921 she was married to Jacob Klassen, and in the fall of 1925 they emigrated to Canada.

They eventually settled on a farm at Holmfield, Manitoba. The Lord was faithful and provided the necessities of life for a large family in spite of meagre returns during the years of depression and drought. Spiritually there was a continuous growth as the children realized their need of a Saviour and accepted him as their own.

In 1936 the Lord directed them to Leamington, Ont. and then to Port Rowan in 1938. They operated a general farm until their retirement in 1965. In 1971 the Klassens celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary .

The funeral service was held October 4 in the Port Rowan Mennonite Brethren Church, where she was a member. Rev. Walter Janzen officiated.

She was predeceased by three sons; one in infancy, Herman in 1957 and Edward in 1967, and three brothers. She is survived by her husband, Jacob; seven sons: Jacob and Anne, Henry and Helen, Peter and Sadie, John and Alita, and Walter, all of Port Rowan, Nick and Annie of Kitchener, Ont., Torn and Lydia of St. Catharines; four daughters: Helen and Cornie Friesen, Mary and Abe Petkau, Anne and Abe Toews, all of Port Rowan, Martha and Richard Morgan of Simcoe, Ont.; 40 grandchildren; and two brothers: Peter Unger of Chilliwack, B.C. and Nick Unger of St. Catharines, Ont.