Obituary of John Klassen

John Klassen went to be with the Lord on August 29, 2024 at the Willow Creek Manor in Swift Current, SK. John was born into a family of 10 children in Blumenhof, SK, on September 22, 1937. He spent most of his childhood on his family’s farm outside of Schoenfeld, where he loved farm life and the animals, especially horses. He attended the Versailles country schoolhouse outside of Chortitz. At a young age, he moved to Swift Current to work for the Canadian Pacific Railway, which began his lifelong love for trains. John was very innovative and later entered the construction trade, becoming a finisher in carpentry. He built many houses in Swift Current, including his final home in 1975, where he lived with his beloved wife, Susan Klassen, for the last 49 years. Together, they also owned John’s Self Serve Laundromat in town, where the families that came loved how he gave candy to all the children. In whatever he did, John did it with excellence and integrity, always doing his best work.

John was baptized in 1958 at the Summerfelt Mennonite Church. That same year, John married the love of his life, Susan, who would be by his side for 66 years. In the coming years, they had 4 sons, and one daughter. Anyone who met John quickly learned of his love for music. He sang for anyone and everyone at any time and anywhere. He sang baritone with the local Barbershop Singers, traveling and performing throughout the region. He loved to play guitar and harmonica, and wrote many songs and poems. He was always excited to serenade children and give them each their own harmonica. John and Susan sang together performing in several churches and nursing homes. In his pastime, John loved building and tinkering, making many flagpoles, airplanes, chimes, and more, over the years. He also enjoyed playing horseshoes, crokinole “knipdasch,” and many other games. John had an adventurous spirit, and took his family on trips to Banff, Sleeping Buffalo, Mexico, and Disneyland, always bringing his harmonica with him wherever he went. In his later years, he especially enjoyed going for coffee with his family and friends. With his love for children, he also continued to support the work of Child Evangelism Fellowship. Throughout his whole life, John deeply loved his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He was devoted to his faith and loved to worship God. He wrote many of his own special prayers, and had his family sing “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” before each meal. He took every opportunity he had to share the Gospel. John is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife, Susan; his sons: Dan (Betty), John (Lana), Frank (Diana), and his daughter Martie; their grandchildren: Jolissa (Travis), Steven, Darcy, Rebecca (Andrew), Heidi, Paige (Sean), Zane (Sloane), DJ, Prairie; and their great grandchildren: Kayla, Cheyanne, Banks; as well as two of his brothers and four of his sisters. He was predeceased by his parents George and Katherine Klassen, his parents in law Cornelius and Catherine Wiebe; his son David, his granddaughter Sarah, as well as two brothers and one sister. John’s heart was for everyone to know the love of Jesus and to love the Lord the way he did.

A Funeral Service wil be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Eastside Church of God, Swift Current, SK. The interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK.