KLASSEN, Walter Peter

KLASSEN, WALTER PETER born June 4, 1943 in Abbotsford, passed away January 22, 2000. Walter is survived by his devoted wife, Doreen; loving children Vicki and Peter; mother, Helen; brother, Herman. Memorial service will be held at Valley Funeral Home 14660 72nd Avenue, Surrey on Thursday, January 27 at 1 PM. Walter was loved and will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Vancouver Sun June 25, 2000.

Walter was born to Peter and Helen Klassen on June 4, 1943. His life began on a small farm in Arnold BC, which was soon replaced by a large farm a few miles north, on the other side of the tracks, right next to the substation. His brother Herman joined the family in January 1945.

That summer his parents became ill. First his Dad was sent to the Tranquille tuberculosis sanitorium. Later his Mother went to the Willow Chest Clinic in Vancouver. Walter and Hermy lived with their grandparents – sometimes together – sometimes separated between the two families.

It was during this time Walter started school in Yarrow. When his parents were well enough the family moved into a house the grandparents had built for them on Dyke Road. In 1955 they moved to Vancouver where Walter completed his elementary and high school.

He found early on that the office was not a place he wanted to work so he worked at MacMillan Bloedel for thirty-five years. Many years he worked as a log scaler.

In 1964 Walter married Doreen Dyck. They made their home in Surrey and enlarged their family to include Victoria (1966) and Peter (1968). He was devoted to his family, as his father had exemplified.

Many weekends they went fishing with his parents. Holidays were spent camping together. As his Dad got weaker, Walter took it upon himself to park, level and set-up two sets of trucks and trailers, putting two boats and motors in the water, so they could continue to spend this time together.

The last years Walter and Doreen camped and fished alone. In 1999 doctors found a tumour so Walter decided on full retirement. In March he had surgery, when more cancer was discovered.

In June Walter and Doreen packed their camper and headed north. No schedule…the only agenda was to see as much of BC, the Yukon and Alaska as possible. After two and a half months, twelve thousand kilometers and eleven rolls of film, they were home. Walter was thankful he had the opportunity of this trip which he had dreamed about so long.Then they celebrated their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary!

On the morning of January 22, 2000, Walter’s life of 56 years was over. He had thoughts of so much more to do and see, yet when the time came, he expressed thankfulness for the days he had.

Walter will be missed by his loving wife, Doreen, his daughter, Vicki and his son, Peter, by his Mother, Helen, and brother, Herman and Fay, Sara, Matthew, and by the many Klassen and Giesbrecht uncles and aunts and their families.

A Memorial Service was held on January 27, 2000 at Valleyview Funeral Home with Pastor Ken Peters officiating.

Helen, Peter, Walter, Herman Klassen	Walter and Herman helping Grandpa with the calves