John Arthur Klaassen

John Arthur Klaassen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away on October 3, 1987. He was born October 24, 1910 to John J.M. & Maria Klaassen in Hillsboro, Kansas, USA. When he was quite young the family moved to Waldeck, Saskatchewan, then to California and back to Saskatchewan. For six or seven years they lived in the Turnhill area and then moved to Redfield.

In 1934 he married Tina Born, a union blessed with one daughter and five sons. One July 28, 1935, he was baptized and joined the Mullingar, MB. Church.

In October 1947 they moved to Sardis B.C. and started worshiping in Yarrow MB Church. John was active in Sunday School as an instructor and music director.



He worked on their small dairy farm and at construction work and carpentry for the next 25 years.

In 1973 he had a heart attack but was soon back at work at the door factory in Yarrow.

He retired in 1975 and in 1977, they sold the farm and moved to Clearbrook. Joining the Clearbrook MB Church where he became active in the music ministry.

In 1981, he had a stroke, from which he recovered, but another stroke in 1984 left him unable to speak. He spent his last 17 months in hospital. His family remembers him as a concerned, loving and patient father.

Predeceased by his daughter Pearl in 1975, he is survived by his wife Tina, sons Irwin, Elmer, Dennis, Gerald and Ken; 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The funeral for John Klaassen was October 9 in Clearbrook MB Church with pastor J.E. Klassen and Rev. J.E. Nickel ministering.