Helen Klassen (nee Friesen)

Obituary

Helen Klassen nee Friesen, age 89, of Steinbach, MB., passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

Helen is survived by her husband John, her children and their spouses; Gerald (Marina) Klassen, Joyce (Paul) Ford, Gordon (Kim) Klassen, Les (Cheri) Klassen; six grandchildren and their spouses, and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings; John (Tina) Friesen, Max (Doreen) Friesen, Rose (Ben) Esau, Linda Froese, and Anne (John) Neufeld.

She was predeceased by her parents Abram JJ and Mary Friesen, sister Mary Wiebe, brother-in-law John F Wiebe, sister-in-law Esther Friesen and her brother-in-law Peter N Froese.

Helen was born on November 3, 1934, to Abram JJ and Mary (Rempel) Friesen on the Rempel grandparents homestead in the Gnadenfeld School District of the Rural Municipality of Rhineland. In 1936 her parents moved to Steinbach in search of work. Here Helen grew up, attended school until Grade 9, and then worked for Modern Grocery and later Steinbach Credit Union. It was during her working years that she accepted Christ as her Savior and, being desirous of growing in her spiritual life, started attending the Bergthaler Mennonite church (now known as Christian Fellowship Church), where she was baptized and became a member.

In 1955 she met John Klassen, and they were married on May 26, 1957. They started married life in Portage la Prairie, later moving to Oakville, before returning to Steinbach in 1973.

During that time, they had four children, Gerald, Joyce, Gordon and Les. In Portage and Oakville, Helen worked for the local Credit Union on a part time basis. Later in Steinbach she worked part time in accounting and income tax work before returning to the Steinbach Credit Union, again working part time until she retired in 1990. In 1977 she acquired her GED which had always been a high personal goal.

Church and family were always important to Helen. She taught Sunday School, served as head librarian, was involved in the Ladies Fellowship and choir and, together with John, served as deacons for several years. She and John tried to spend much time with their parents and later, as their own children got married and had their own families, enjoyed travelling to visit their children and grandchildren and more recently, great grandchildren. In addition, through the years Helen, with her husband John, was involved in Steinbach MCC Thrift Shop, Roseau River Bible Camp and the Steinbach 55 Plus Choir and other volunteer work.

On August 27, 2024, Helen suffered a major stroke leaving her totally paralysed on her left side, as well as affecting other functions of her body. After a valiant struggle, she went home to be with her Lord, on Saturday, October 26, 2024. The family would like to thank the paramedics and staff of Bethesda Regional Health Centre and Health Sciences Centre for the care they gave Helen.

Viewing will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., with devotional at 7:30 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

Services will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with faspa and fellowship to follow.

Interment to take place at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

• mySteinbach Jobs
• Steinbach Homes
• Steinbach Real Estate
• Steinbach Jobs
• RSS Feeds
• Get in Touch