Klassen, Henry J. (1880-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 22 p. 6

Birth date: 1880

text of obituary:

. . .

— Henry J. Klassen, 77, retired farmer who lived at 314 S. E. third Street in Newton, died Sunday morning at the Salem Hospital, Hillsboro. Funeral services were held Tuesday forenoon at the First Mennonite Church here, of which he was a member. Rev. Arnold Epp, the pastor, officiated. Surviving are the widow, who was Katie Schroeder, three sons, five daughters, two brothers, P. J. Klassen of Hillsboro and B.J. Klassen of Goessel, 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Sep 5 p. 8

text of obituary:

HENRY J. KLASSEN

Henry J. Klassen, our father, son of John and Sarah Unruh Klassen, was born in McPherson Country [sic] near Moundridge, Kansas.

He received his elementary education near Goessel and often spoke of his teacher, Rev. Peter Balzer.

In his youth he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized by Rev. Peter Balzer and received into the Alexanderwohl Church. He served his church as Sunday school teacher and choir director while at Inola, Okla. and Halstead, Kansas where he lived for intervals of time. Lately he often expressed desire to go to his eternal reward. At the time of his passing he was a member of the First Mennonite Church of Newton.

On Nov. 13, 1903, he was united in marriage to Katie Schroeder and was permitted to share the blessings of married life for over 53 years. This union was blessed with eight children, five daughters and three sons; Menno of Walton; Linda, Mrs. Ben Androes of Colorado Springs; Olga, Mrs. Abe Androes of Newton; Arthur of Wichita; Ruth, Mrs. Harvey Deckert of Newton; Anna of the home; John of Inman; and Martha, Mrs. Wesley Epp of Halstead. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two brothers, P. J. Klassen of Hillsboro and B. J. Klassen of Goessel. Three brothers and one sister, and two half-brothers and one half-sister preceded him in death.

In order to give father the best of care he was placed in the home for the aged at Hillsboro three weeks ago. On Friday morning he suffered a stroke and had to be taken to Salem Hospital where he remained until his passing. He departed this life to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior August 18, 1957, after a lingering illness. He reached the age of 77 years, six months and 18 days.

He recently copied the words of the hymn, “Jesus Lover of My Soul,” and placed it in his Bible with the notation, “This is my prayer.”

Father deeply appreciated the quartets and trios and other visitors who came to visit him. He always looked forward to the time when the children and grandchildren would come home.

We mourn not as those who have no hope for we know that we shall see him again. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

The Mennonite obituary: 1957 Sep 3 p. 560