Kleinsasser, Jacob J. (1906-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Jan 7 p. 9, 10

Birth date: 1906 Dec 17

text of obituary:

JACOB J. KLEINSASSER

Jacob J. Kleinsasser Jr., son of Jacob J. and Mary (nee Hofer) Kleinsasser, was born Dec. 17, 1906, five miles northwest of Freeman, S. D. and passed to his eternal reward on Dec. 11, 1953, at 9 a.m. at his home 14 miles northwest of Freeman.

He grew up in his parental home, attending rural school and three years at Freeman college academy.

In 1925 during a revival meeting conducted by Rev. P. P. Tschetter he accepted Christ as his personal Savior, finding comfort in Proverbs 3:5, 6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and He shall direct thy paths.” On Sept. 13, 1925, he was baptized by Rev. P. P. Tschetter and was received into the Hutterthal church of which he remained a faithful member.

On May3, 1942, he was united in holy matrimony with Justina Hofman. Immediately a family altar was established in our home which proved a great blessing in the many trials the Lord saw fit to bestow upon us. Four weeks after our marriage we had our first testing, when Jake answered to the call to serve his country in a Civilian Public Service camp. After eleven months of service, he was discharged due to physical disability. In 1944 we bought and moved to our present home and farmed as long as health permitted.

A physical checkup in the Rochester Mayo clinic revealed that he was suffering with the dreaded disease, multiple sclerosis, for which there is no cure. In 1945 he had a serious tractor accident that partly crippled his right hand. All this he bore with patience, finding comfort in Prov. 3:11, 12.

He became weaker and since 1949 had to use the wheel chair. Many were the sacrifices he had to face. He attended his last church service Christmas day 1946. However, he found much joy in listening to the Gospel message over the radio. His favorite song was “The Ninety and Nine.” His favorite Bible verse was Heb. 13:8.

Due to a serious stomach ailment he entered Freeman hospital June 11, 1953. After three weeks of suffering and medical treatments he was able to return to his home, where his wife did all that human hands could do for him. He enjoyed the many visitors, greeting them with a smile, being very patient in his suffering. He often would say, “It could be worse.” He was bedfast for six months and during that time had the hiccoughs for 110 days. He trusted the Lord in all his trials, and often spoke of rest, but now he is at rest with the Lord.

We shared joys and sorrows for 11 years, seven months and eight days. He reached the age of 46 years, 11 months and 24 days. He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Crist Hofman.

He leaves to mourn his departure his deeply bereaved wife, Justina; two sisters, Theresa, Mrs. Joe P. Glanzer and Clara, Mrs. Clifford Rockwell, Omaha, Nebr.; two brothers, Abraham and Ben of Freeman, S. D.; his father-in-law, Crist Hofman; eight brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law.

Funeral services were conducted at the Hutterthal church on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. by Rev. Jacob B. Hofer. A large crowd came to attend in spite of a blizzard. The many flowers, the large sum for a memorial fund and the many who attended showed that the deceased was loved and honored by all.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Decker sang two songs, “O Love Divine,” and “Lasz nie dein Herz Verzagen,” Rev. Jacob B. Hofer preached on I Sam. 20:3. A men’s quartet also furnished music, singing “See the Pearly Gates Will Open.” Rev. D. W. Tschetter spoke on “Patience in Chastisement,” Heb. 12:11, chosen by the deceased.

Rev. Paul Glanzer, nephew of the deceased, spoke at the grave. The body was laid to rest beside his parents at the Hutterthal cemetery near Freeman. Pall bearers were Dave M. Waltner, John S. Waltner, Clifford Hofer, Paul Math Hofer, Sam J. c. Gross and Peter J. Hofer. – Mrs. Justina Kleinsasser, the Jacob J. Kleinsasser family and Crist Hofman family.