Klassen, Nickolai (1909-1969)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1970 Jan 23 p. 30

Birth date: 1909 Mar 25

text of obituary:

NICKOLAI (NICK) KLASSEN

Nick Klassen was born on March 25 1909, in the village of Donskaja, in the province of Samara, Russia, the ninth son of a family graced by ten sons and three daughters.

He spent his happy childhood amidst his brothers and sisters and the playmates of the village school where he received his elementary education, later supplemented by a few years of study at a secondary school in the neighboring village of Lugovsk.

In the fall of 1925 a new chapter began in his life with the family's emigration to Canada. Here the challenge of acquiring a new language, the continuation of an interrupted education, and the search for a life's vocation had to be met. In the course of these pursuits he was led into the field of construction and architectural draughting, a vocation in which he was happily engaged till the close of his earthly life.

On September 6, 1936, another eventful chapter began in his life when he was joined in holy matrimony to Irmgard (Irma) Delesky in Winnipeg, where the young couples set up their home and where Nick was engaged in various occupations until the year 1942. That year the prospect of better job opportunities and milder climate on the West Coast drew them to British Columbia. After several relocations within the province, they were led to take up residence in Abbotsford. Here Nick was employed for many years by the Dueck Lumber Company. His activities in this community brought him into contact with many people and led to the acquisition of many personal friendships. He also leaves behind many a visible landmark in the form of a variety of buildings, both public and private, which attest to his construct,ion and draughting skins.

But if he could speak now, he would point to the one supreme highlight of his life which took place in 1938 when the Lord Jesus gave him the gift of all gifts the newness of life, which formed the secret centre of his quiet, unassuming, yet busy, life, that often spoke louder than any sermon. His baptism by immersion that same year marked his public confession to the Lordship of Christ, in his life.

His home church in Abbotsford was the Central Heights Church, where he worshiped together with his beloved wife and found much spiritual sustenance. Quite suddenly his Lord called him to his rest on December 25.

His departure from this earthly life is deeply mourned, by his dear wife, Irma; two sons, Nickolai (Nikky) John, and Roy Harold; Nicky's wife, Averil and two grandchildren, Michael and Deborah; the mother-in-law, Mrs. Katherine Delesky; two brothers, Jacob of Winnipeg and John of Montreal; and three sisters, Mrs. Justina Peters of Surrey, Mrs. Agatha Horch of Winnipeg and Mrs. Elfrieda Dyck of Akron, Pennsylvania.