Mr. Hans Klassen

Hans was born to Johann and Anna (nee Friesen) Klassen in Chortitza, Ukraine on June 16, 1937. Hans was the oldest of four children; Katherine (aka Kathy or Tina), Gerhard (aka George) and Hermann. Hans is survived by his wife Maria (Mary nee Dyck); his 3 children Hans Peter (Audrey), Henry (Leah), Linda (Dan); his 6 grand children Tina (Kyle), Rebecca (Cohle), Rachel (Joe), Jillian (Christopher), Melanie and Jackson; and his 7 great grand children Levi, Judah, Henry, Connor, Grayson, Bree and Marvin and extended family. He was predeceased by his son Walter in April, 1977 at the age of 12.

In 1943, at the age of six, Hans' entire family fled the Ukraine in advance of the retreating German army into Poland where they settled with Polish families. In the last days of the war, father Johann was conscripted into the German army and was never seen again. Mother Anna again had to flee with 4 children under ten years of age, from Russian invasion into the British Zone in West Germany where they stayed for 3 years. Hans was only able to start school during this time.

Finding connections with the Mennonite Central Committee the family embarked on a journey across the ocean to Paraguay.

The family settled in the small village Chortitza, named after his birthplace, and Hans was the man of the house. Agriculture was done with real horse power and Hans walked many kilometers behind plow and cultivator to plant and harvest crops. Hans was a superb horseman and took pride in his horses. Hans also developed great skill working with wood. There was no electricity and all tools were manpowered. He built many objects, no doubt inspired by stories from his mother.

He was baptized in Paraguay by Aeltester (Elder) Hans Rempel.

He met his life partner of 63 years, Maria, in Paraguay.

In 1957 Hans and the Klassen family followed the emigration path to Canada with much help from many relatives.

In 1958 Maria, Hans’ bride to be, emigrated to Canada. They were married August 9th, 1958.

Hans built 2 houses in Charleswood, Winnipeg from the ground up with help from family and friends, the first being 559 Cathcart and the second 553 Chalfont.

Hans worked well past retirement as a carpenter. Anyone who hired Hans could be assured of a job well done and he passed on his hard work ethic to his children. He was a man of strong faith and over the years devoted much of his time in service to God and the church.

He was a man of few words, never complained, corrected or criticized. When it was time for music or singing though, Hans would always be heard with his amazing harmonizing tenor voice or playing his harmonica. Throughout his life his actions spoke volumes.

In 2015 Hans and Maria moved into an apartment in North Kildonan (Ruth Gardens) selling the family home he painstakingly hand crafted.

Hans had to endure may difficult, inhumane months isolated from family, including Maria, when he fractured his hip in 2020 resulting in many hospital transfers for tests and 2 major surgeries. The grace in which he managed these trials were a testament to his internal strength and faith.

Hans moved into Bethania Personal Care Home June 2021 where he passed away March 16, 2022. Maria had just moved to Bethania Haus in November 2021 to be as close as possible to him.

We will always remember his gentle smile and willingness to build, repair or lend a helping hand.

Luke 6: 47,48 (NIV)

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.