Klassen, Rudolph (1899-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 May 11 p. 2

Birth date: 1899 Aug 23

text of obituary:

SERVICES IN OKLAHOMA FOR DROWNING VICTIM

Inman, Kans. — Friends from the Inman-Buhler area and from Conway and Hutchinson went to Medford, Okla. on April 26 to attend funeral services for Rudolf Klassen, 50, who drowned the morning of April 23 while fishing near Springfield, Colo. It is believed that the bottom came out of the life raft he was using.

Mr. Klassen, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Klassen, was born here and the family lived here for about three years after his birth.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 May 11 p. 6

text of obituary:

RUDOLPH KLASSEN

Rudolph Klassen was born to George and Mary Klassen on Aug. 23, 1899, at Inman, Kansas. With his parents he moved to Medford, Okla. where he spent his youth and received his education.

At the age of twenty he left home and lived in different states. Later he moved to Springfield, Colorado. Here Mr. Klassen was employed at a hardware store. He was well thought of and had many friends in the Springfield community.

He was twelve years old when his father preceded him in death.

On Sunday morning, April 23, 1950, he with another man went fishing on a hugh [sic] reservoir near Springfield, Colorado. He and his partner anchored their raft near the swift current. The reservoir apparently was being drained for irrigation. The anchor would not hold and the rubber raft was demolished. The other party was rescued and pulled to shore by another fishing crew. Mr. Klassen was hurled underneath the pond. The current kept him near the water gate for several hours. The body was rescued a few hours later and taken to Medford, Okla. for burial.

He reached the age of fifty years and eight months. He leaves to mourn his departure his mother, Mrs. Mary Klassen, and one brother Frank, both of Medford, Okla. Frank was taken to the hospital the day before the funeral and was not able to attend. He also has many relatives and a host of friends who mourn his sudden departure.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 26, 1950, at the Medford Mennonite church with Rev. Ernest E. Baergen in charge. The ladies chorus sang "Jesus Is The Shepherd." This was followed by a message by the pastor taking the text from II Tim. 1:12b, "The Things I Should Know and The things I Should be Persuaded Of." The emphasis was placed on facts concerning New Birth. Without new birth no man can be saved. Man must realized that he is a lost sinner and must accept Jesus Christ as his or her own personal Saviour. Jesus is able to comfort and to keep His own in an hour like this. The male quartet sang "Just Abide."

Burial was made in the Rosemound cemetery at Medford.