Klassen, John (1891-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 15 p. 6

Birth date: 1891 May 13

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held last Sunday afternoon at the Goessel Mennonite church for John Klassen, 66, who died Friday in the Bethesda Hospital after a long illness. The services were conducted by Rev. Leo Miller, pastor of the church. The widow, a son Orville, and several brothers and sisters survive.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 22 p. 8

text of obituary:

JOHN KLASSEN

John Klassen, son of Frank and Elizabeth Voth Klassen, was born May 13, 1891, on a farm southwest of Goessel, in McPherson county, Kansas. He passed away quietly in the Bethesda Hospital in Goessel at 4:55 a. m. August 9, 1957, having reached the age of 66 years, two months and 27 days.

In 1893 he, with his parents, moved to Goessel where he attended the Gordon grade school and the Goessel Preparatory School. Later he attended the McPherson College Academy and graduated there. He also attended Bethel College one year, after which he greatly enjoyed teaching school for 11 years.

During the time he spent as a conscientious objector during World War I he formed many friendships which he cherished during later years and especially during his long period of illness.

He was baptized upon confession of his faith by Rev. Henry Banman and received into the Alexanderwohl church on June 4, 1911. When the Goessel church was organized in 1920, he transferred his membership there, where he remained a member until his death.

On December 29, 1922, he was united in marriage to Sara Franzen, with whom he shared life's joys and sorrows for almost 35 years. To this union was born one son.

In 1943 it was discovered that he had undulant fever. After some treatment, he was able to resume some of his work. However, other illness appeared and in a few years Parkinson disease and hardening of the arteries again curtailed his action. On August 1, 1956, he became suddenly ill and was taken to the hospital the following day. Here he remained until December 28, during which time his recovery was very slow and limited. He was privileged to be at home the next seven months, during which time he was bedfast except for being able to sit in a chair about an hour a day. However, he was completely helpless and unable to speak.

On August 1, 1957, while eating his noon meal, he suffered a stroke and slipped into unconsciousness from which he never awoke. After being taken to the hospital on Saturday, he lingered on until early Friday when, without a struggle, he was called home.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Sara, and son Orville. Two brothers and two sisters also survive: Frank, of Albuquerque, N. Mex.; Ted, of Walla Walla, Wash.; Cornelia (Mrs. John Franzen) of Canton, Kan.; and Anna, of Wichita. His parents and two sisters preceded him in death.

In view of his long bedfast years it can be said: "They also serve who suffer and who wait."