Klassen, Selma Freni Strausz (1915-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Jun 15 p. 9

Birth date: 1915 Jan 2

text of obituary:

SELMA KLASSEN

Selma Freni (Strausz) Klassen, 94, died April 7, 2009, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kan. She was born Jan. 2, 1915, to Peter J. and Anna (Flickner) Strausz near Moundridge.

She was baptized upon her profession of faith on June 16, 1929, at Eden Mennonite Church of Moundridge. She later transferred her membership to Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church at Goessel, where she was involved with Willing Workers Sewing Circle, the education committee, and teaching Sunday school and Bible school.

She married Rudolph A. (R.A.) Klassen on October 22, 1937. He preceded her in death on Dec. 1, 1990.

Their first home was in Newton. They established a farm near Goessel in 1944, where they lived until 1962. At that time, they moved to Lebanon, Kan., where they lived for 11 years. They were associate members of Lebanon United Methodist Church. She was active in Women’s Society of Christian Service and taught Sunday school and Bible study classes. She was also a 4-H leader. They moved back to Goessel in 1973. She moved to Schowalter Villa in 2003.

She was a graduate of Moundridge High School and Salt City Business College in Hutchinson. She worked as a clerk, typesetter and secretary. She loved the Lord dearly and had a passion for Bible study and Bible teaching. She had a heart for missions and devoted her life to God, family, church and community.

Survivors include four children, Donald Klassen and his wife, Roine, of Sioux Falls, S.D., James Klassen and his wife, Ly, of Dallas, Texas, Vernell Miller and her husband, Paul, of Hanston, and Cynthia Goerzen and her husband, Les, of Goessel; a brother, Melvin Strausz and his wife, Viola, of Hutchinson; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Agnetha Ann; and six siblings, Lorena, Orlando, Ruth, Benjamin, Esther and Walter.

A memorial service was held at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church of Goessel.