Klassen, Mary Penner (1927-2004)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2005 Feb 4 p. 28

Birth date: 1927 May 30

text of obituary:

MARY (MARIECHEN) KLASSEN

Mary Klassen died Nov. 24. She was born May 30, 1927 to Peter and Suzanna Penner in Konteniusfeld, Molotschna, Ukraine. She was a spirited girl and loved riding horses bareback. Her father was arrested when she was 11. Faced with a seemingly impossible task, her mother said she would pray for her. Mary also did this for the rest of her life. The family fled Ukraine with the retreating German army. They were separated but reunited in Germany with the help of MCC. She accepted the Lord as her Saviour and was baptized July 7, 1946. She married Peter Klassen in Gronau, Germany, Feb. 8, 1948. They immigrated to Paraguay. Their first child died at 5 months. Peter attended Elim Bible School in Fernheim. Mary demonstrated great courage and strength in those years of pioneering in a hostile environment. In 1953 they immigrated to Canada, settling in Black Creek, B. C. Peter served as pastor and worked as a logger. In 1959 they moved to Abbotsford, where Peter studied at MBBI (now CBC). The family moved to Coaldale, Alta., then to Kitchener, Ont., then to Abbotsford. In Ontario she did shift work and looked after the family. Her gifts led her to minister behind the scenes. She enjoyed family get-togethers and trips to Germany, and supported Peter on his mission trips with Disciple Making International. Predeceased by Peter in August, and a daughter Elfrieda in infancy, she is mourned by Elizabeth, Henry, Albert, Wally and Ruth Ann. The funeral was Nov. 29 in Clearbrook MB Church with Heinz Ratzlaff, Walter Wiens and Peter Penner ministering.