Mary Klassen of Yarrow, B.C. passed away Feb. 10, 1999.

She was born Nov. 1, 1910 to Jacob and Mary Isaak in Terek, Russia. Her sister and father died when Mary was 11.

In 1927 she, her mother and her brother immigrated to Manitou, Man.; they soon moved to Watrous, Sask. She accepted Christ, was baptized and joined the MB church.

In 1933 they moved to Yarrow, joining Yarrow MB Church. In 1943 she married John Klassen. He died in 1970.

She then lived alone in her own house. She was always cheerful and thankful. She encouraged others, wanting to show that being a Christian was joyful and peaceful. She made many handcrafts for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, for friends and for MCC. She enjoyed playing marbles with her family once a week. Though she was hard of hearing and had other pains, she never complained. She learned to adjust to circumstances, was thankful and focused on the things she had, not what she didn't have.

She took interest in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was hospitalized in December 1998. Predeceased by her brother and sister and 1 grandchild, she is mourned by sons Walter and Abe; daughters Fredie Rauch and Hildy Burke; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 13 in Yarrow MB Church, with Jim Nightingale ministering.