Kleinsasser, J. W. (1885-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Jul 10 p. 7

Birth date: 1885

text of obituary:

Founder of German Broadcast Dies

Freeman, S. D. — Rev. J. W. Kleinsasser, 84, founder and long-time speaker for the German language gospel broadcast over Station KIJV in Huron, died June 20 at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls.

Rev. Kleinsasser's Sunday morning broadcast in the German language was heard by thousands of listeners in this area. He began in 1947 with a 15-minute broadcast, which was later expanded to 45 minutes. He continued this ministry for 15 years.

A native of this community, he attended Freeman Junior College and Beadle College at Madison, after which he taught school for 10 years. He was ordained to the ministry in 1916, serving the Hutterthal church near here and the Hutterthal congregation in Spink County for about three years each. In 1922 he became a charter member of the new Emmanuel Church at Doland, S. D. and served as minister there for 12 years.

The largely attended funeral was held June 23 at the Hutterthal Church near Freeman.

The Mennonite obituary: 1969 Jul 29 p. 474